Specializing in entry-level devices, Archos shifts into high gear with the Helium series. Composed of a tablet and two smartphones, this series is compatible with 4G networks; a first for the brand. The 50 Helium is the first reference to pass into the hands of Digital . The phone is adorned with specifications perfectly adequate for this type of entry level mobile. So it has a HD screen (1280 x 720 px 294 dpi) 5 inches. Tile the screen is IPS technology. What guarantee, in theory, wide viewing angles. So Archos usually turns to Mediatek SoC, the new terminal loads a quad chip Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 Clocked at 1.2 GHz., it is based on 1 GB of RAM. Side internal storage, 8GB are available, expandable by microSD. Card picture side, the 50 Helium offers a rear 8MP BSI sensor with an LED flash.Finally, 50 Helium has a battery of 2000 mAh. Sold around 200 €, the 50 Helium will have to confront an oversupply of competitors, also compatible 4G. The Xperia SP , the Ascend G740 or the new Wax Wiko are indeed rivals weight for this model Archos. Will there a difference? Response in this test.
Ergonomics and design
The appearance is often one of the weak points of entry level smartphones. However, Archos has made an effort which we welcome. The phone is very elegant and quite thin (8.95 mm), with appreciable rounded edges. If the touch buttons (menu, back and option) are still present, they are not apparent in the case of pressure. 's bezel (black frame around the screen) and seems less impressive; a point that participates in neat look of the phone. Archos note could further reduce the edges around the screen to be more compact. If the casing touch gum is appreciable in hand, the phone slides still quite easily, even after a short time (about ten minutes) of grip. Note, its not really as lightweight 160 g.
Screen
With a slab 5 inch HD resolution (1280 x 720 px) and a pixel density of 294 ppi, we reserve the screen 50 Helium? It's simple, it's almost faultlessly. IPS technology provides indeed very wide angles visions. Then delta E, valued at 4.4 ensures a fairly faithful display of colors displayed; plus the value approaches zero, the more colors are true - below 3, it is already excellent. The color temperature (7279 Kelvin) is balanced, with a slightly bluish made. The contrast ratio (787:1) is a bit feeble, but associated with a sufficient maximum brightness - without being extraordinary ( 373 cd / m²) - the screen is readable in bright surroundings. In full sun, it is however a little more difficult to read what is displayed correctly. Finally, 50 Helium demonstrated a rather weak tactile delay 58 ms. A very good score. The touch panel of reactivity concerns the behavior of the screen with respect to a request from the user's finger. Today we measure the delay of the touch panel, which highlights the time required for the tablet to respond to a solicitation touch. More time measured is low, the better.
Interface and Navigation
As usual, Archos delivers a smartphone without overlay house. This is the pure juice Android (Jelly Bean 4.3) which therefore acts user interface, with its well-known features (widgets, multitasking ...). Fans of the Google operating system comes in its simplest device are not confused here. However, there are some applications of the manufacturer, as Archos Music or very significant Archos Video Player, which decrypts all video codecs and handles very well subtitles.
In terms of flow, the presence of the chip Qualcomm S400, found in many entry / mid-range mobile devices feels. If the 50 Helium can rub shoulders with the most powerful smartphone, it makes most applications run smoothly and also benefits from good management of multitasking.
Multimedia
For multimedia, 50 Helium has succeeded. Heavyweights of the game as Real Racing 3 or Epic Citadel embark without problems and run with a beautiful fluidity. Note, however, some effects of aliasing (jaggies) on edges of objects. web side, the navigation is as good and fluid.
HD resolution (1280 x 720 px) suitable for movie playback on the smartphone. As noted above, the application (native) Archos Video is very rich. Summary videos, compatible with UPnP and SMB networks for reading, managing multiple codecs ... More for 50 Helium, as it can happen to pick up a third-party application on Google Play.
The audio output headphone jack is not very powerful, but apart from this the other measurements made by our laboratory (distortion, dynamic range, crosstalk) give good results for a phone of its kind. Integrated speaker delivers However rendering sound loud and aggressive. Located at the rear of the hull, it is not blocked when the phone is placed on the back. Once in hand, it's a little different ...
Photo
Two light sensors are present on this smartphone. An 8MP rear panel with flash, the other front, 2MP. Before dwelling on the quality of images, we must salute the level of customization offered by Archos. The picture is rather rich interface effect ( focus, color effects, exposure, saturation ...) and fun to use.
Quite surprising and unsettling, while shooting on the screen is 16 / 9, all images are resized in 4/3. It is therefore frankly not clear what is actually shot ! Overall, the photos show a standard of dive ... in some places. Colors, they are rather bland and not really true, then. That should just about to use "smartphone" (social networks, MMS, etc.), but these pictures are difficult to use in a larger format.
Good to know: in low light with flash and balance "incandescent" white selected, you are entitled to a surprising result since the pictures are simply bluish. The sensor did not clearly time to make a correct white balance.According to Archos, this "problem can occur under certain conditions on some devices . " Waiting for a new model for verification, we will update this information at the earliest. delivers video recording, meanwhile, made a rather uneven, with a fairly noisy image and some jerks that we could have done. ..
Autonomy
The battery offers 2000 mAh. If this is enough for a "basic" use (email, web, calls, etc..), Multimedia rapidly melts the battery life, which hardly exceed a "day" of use (6-7 hours use) . This is not, especially for a 4G smartphone.Note that the battery heats up when a game or a bit heavy video content is launched.
Ergonomics and design
The appearance is often one of the weak points of entry level smartphones. However, Archos has made an effort which we welcome. The phone is very elegant and quite thin (8.95 mm), with appreciable rounded edges. If the touch buttons (menu, back and option) are still present, they are not apparent in the case of pressure. 's bezel (black frame around the screen) and seems less impressive; a point that participates in neat look of the phone. Archos note could further reduce the edges around the screen to be more compact. If the casing touch gum is appreciable in hand, the phone slides still quite easily, even after a short time (about ten minutes) of grip. Note, its not really as lightweight 160 g.
Screen
With a slab 5 inch HD resolution (1280 x 720 px) and a pixel density of 294 ppi, we reserve the screen 50 Helium? It's simple, it's almost faultlessly. IPS technology provides indeed very wide angles visions. Then delta E, valued at 4.4 ensures a fairly faithful display of colors displayed; plus the value approaches zero, the more colors are true - below 3, it is already excellent. The color temperature (7279 Kelvin) is balanced, with a slightly bluish made. The contrast ratio (787:1) is a bit feeble, but associated with a sufficient maximum brightness - without being extraordinary ( 373 cd / m²) - the screen is readable in bright surroundings. In full sun, it is however a little more difficult to read what is displayed correctly. Finally, 50 Helium demonstrated a rather weak tactile delay 58 ms. A very good score. The touch panel of reactivity concerns the behavior of the screen with respect to a request from the user's finger. Today we measure the delay of the touch panel, which highlights the time required for the tablet to respond to a solicitation touch. More time measured is low, the better.
Interface and Navigation
As usual, Archos delivers a smartphone without overlay house. This is the pure juice Android (Jelly Bean 4.3) which therefore acts user interface, with its well-known features (widgets, multitasking ...). Fans of the Google operating system comes in its simplest device are not confused here. However, there are some applications of the manufacturer, as Archos Music or very significant Archos Video Player, which decrypts all video codecs and handles very well subtitles.
In terms of flow, the presence of the chip Qualcomm S400, found in many entry / mid-range mobile devices feels. If the 50 Helium can rub shoulders with the most powerful smartphone, it makes most applications run smoothly and also benefits from good management of multitasking.
Multimedia
For multimedia, 50 Helium has succeeded. Heavyweights of the game as Real Racing 3 or Epic Citadel embark without problems and run with a beautiful fluidity. Note, however, some effects of aliasing (jaggies) on edges of objects. web side, the navigation is as good and fluid.
HD resolution (1280 x 720 px) suitable for movie playback on the smartphone. As noted above, the application (native) Archos Video is very rich. Summary videos, compatible with UPnP and SMB networks for reading, managing multiple codecs ... More for 50 Helium, as it can happen to pick up a third-party application on Google Play.
The audio output headphone jack is not very powerful, but apart from this the other measurements made by our laboratory (distortion, dynamic range, crosstalk) give good results for a phone of its kind. Integrated speaker delivers However rendering sound loud and aggressive. Located at the rear of the hull, it is not blocked when the phone is placed on the back. Once in hand, it's a little different ...
Photo
Two light sensors are present on this smartphone. An 8MP rear panel with flash, the other front, 2MP. Before dwelling on the quality of images, we must salute the level of customization offered by Archos. The picture is rather rich interface effect ( focus, color effects, exposure, saturation ...) and fun to use.
Quite surprising and unsettling, while shooting on the screen is 16 / 9, all images are resized in 4/3. It is therefore frankly not clear what is actually shot ! Overall, the photos show a standard of dive ... in some places. Colors, they are rather bland and not really true, then. That should just about to use "smartphone" (social networks, MMS, etc.), but these pictures are difficult to use in a larger format.
Good to know: in low light with flash and balance "incandescent" white selected, you are entitled to a surprising result since the pictures are simply bluish. The sensor did not clearly time to make a correct white balance.According to Archos, this "problem can occur under certain conditions on some devices . " Waiting for a new model for verification, we will update this information at the earliest. delivers video recording, meanwhile, made a rather uneven, with a fairly noisy image and some jerks that we could have done. ..
Autonomy
The battery offers 2000 mAh. If this is enough for a "basic" use (email, web, calls, etc..), Multimedia rapidly melts the battery life, which hardly exceed a "day" of use (6-7 hours use) . This is not, especially for a 4G smartphone.Note that the battery heats up when a game or a bit heavy video content is launched.
Highlights
- Design and finishing treatment.
- Beautiful screen.
- Good overall performance multimedia.
Weaknesses
- Made limited picture, especially in low light.
- Light autonomy.
Conclusion
The 50 Helium is a compelling smartphone supports 4G. Its beautiful screen and multimedia capabilities are its main strengths, especially on this level range. The picture is unfortunately overshadowed a bit feeble autonomy and photo / video unequal capacities.
