Acer beTouch E110 Mobile Review - A Disappointingly Mediocre Budget Android Phone

These days, there are a wealth of budget phones to consider. Some only provide you with the means to text and talk and nothing more, while other provide you with almost as many features as more expensive phones. The Acer beTouch E110 is one that falls decidedly in the middle: it was designed with a lot of potential in mind, but their delivery is a let down overall.

Appearance:

If you prefer a phone with a plain or subtle design, the beTouch E110 may be ideal for you. Available in black or deep blue, it's encased in sturdy plastic and has a sturdy, solid feel. However, it's rectangular shape and rounded edges may be uninspiring for someone looking for a bit of style. Its 2.8 inch QVGA screen is a disappointment as well—while it's bright and vivid, it's also quite blurry, which makes trying to browse the internet or read emails an exercise in frustration and eyestrain. In addition to this, the screen is also resistive, which makes attempting to tap out messages incredibly difficult.

Its Android 1.5 interface is relatively straightforward to use, with five homescreens as well as a few live apps that allow you to see  updates from Twitter and Facebook. Its main let down is that you are inexplicably unable to reach the Android Market through the phone, which means that you're stuck with the apps and widgets they provide you with and nothing more.

Sound:

The beTouch E110 provides decent sound quality for both phone calls and music. Its 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to use your own headphones. Its music player is relatively simple to navigate and supports a variety of formats, and its FM radio is also a nice touch.

Camera:

Alas, its 3 megapixel camera is sadly under equipped. There is no flash, no auto focus, no image stabiliser, and no editing options. This  means that photos will come out grainy and distorted in anything but the brightest areas. Even in well lit settings colours may come out faded or warped.

Internet Connectivity:

You are provided with 3G HDSPA, Bluetooth, GPS, and others, but sadly there is no wi-fi to speak of, which means checking your twitter or email on the go is out of the question. Sadly, using the net in general on the beTouch E110 is a discouraging experience: its browser is difficult to navigate, its tiny keypad makes texting almost impossible. The screen's blurred appearance makes even reading an annoyance.

Memory and Talk Time:

With 250 MB of storage plus an additional boost from a microSD card, you should have a decent amount of storage. Its battery life isn't bad either. Typically you get a few days in of moderate use before it needs charging again.

Verdict:

The downside to budget phones is that, in most cases, they always have to sacrifice a few features in the name of staying cheap. However, the Acer beTouch E110 takes away a bit too much in the name of price—its lack of wi-fi, horrible camera, and lack of access to the Android Market make this mobile a decided waste of time. Fortunately, there are many other budget phones with redeeming features that won't break your wallet. If you want to save money, you can consider getting cheap mobile phone deals off the net as they seem to be far better than the ones offered in the high streets.