The Orange Barcelona and Huawei U8350 Boulder represent a pivotal moment in smartphone history – the transition from feature phones to affordable Android devices. While the Barcelona remains shrouded in limited public specifications, the Boulder, powered by the Qualcomm MSM7225 Snapdragon S1, offers a concrete baseline for comparison. This analysis aims to contextualize the Boulder’s capabilities and infer the Barcelona’s likely market positioning.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional, albeit basic, smartphone experience, the Huawei U8350 Boulder is the clear winner. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 chipset provides a known level of performance, while the Orange Barcelona’s lack of publicly available specifications makes it a gamble. The Boulder offers a tangible experience, while the Barcelona remains an unknown quantity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, Q2. Released 2011, Q2 | 2011. Released 2011, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 115 x 63 x 9.9 mm (4.53 x 2.48 x 0.39 in) | 115 x 62.8 x 9.9 mm (4.53 x 2.47 x 0.39 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 115 g (4.06 oz) | 105 g (3.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio | 320 x 240 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~28.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~29.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | TFT, 256K colors |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | 528 MHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM7225 Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | - | No |
| OS | Android 2.2 (Froyo) | Android 2.2 (Froyo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | - | 512MB 256MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 3.15 MP, AF | 3.2 MP |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | MP4/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
Organizer
Voice memo
Predictive text input | MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
MP4/H.264 player
Organizer
Document viewer
Photo viewer/editor
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 288 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h | - |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion battery | Removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, White |
| Price | - | About 90 EUR |
Orange Barcelona
- Potential for carrier-specific features (Orange)
- May offer a unique design aesthetic
- Could be more readily available in certain regions
- Lack of publicly available specifications
- Uncertain performance capabilities
- Potential for limited software support
Huawei U8350 Boulder
- Known Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 chipset
- Reliable, albeit basic, performance
- Established Android Gingerbread experience
- Slow processor by modern standards
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Basic camera performance
Display Comparison
Without specifications for the Orange Barcelona’s display, a direct comparison is impossible. The Huawei U8350 Boulder likely featured a standard LCD panel common for the era, prioritizing cost-effectiveness over advanced features. Expect limited viewing angles and moderate brightness. The Barcelona, depending on its target price point, may have offered a slightly larger screen or improved resolution, but without data, this remains speculative. Both devices would have lacked features like high refresh rates or OLED technology.
Camera Comparison
Camera capabilities on both devices were rudimentary by today’s standards. The Huawei U8350 Boulder likely featured a 5MP main camera, sufficient for basic snapshots in good lighting conditions. Image quality would be limited by the sensor size and lack of image stabilization. The Orange Barcelona’s camera specifications are unavailable, but it likely offered a similar level of performance. Both devices would have lacked advanced features like HDR or night mode. Any claims of high megapixel counts on the Barcelona without supporting sensor size data should be treated with skepticism.
Performance
The Huawei U8350 Boulder’s Qualcomm MSM7225 Snapdragon S1, featuring a 528 MHz ARM 11 CPU, defines its performance ceiling. This chipset was designed for basic Android functionality – web browsing, email, and light app usage. The ARM 11 architecture is significantly less efficient than modern CPUs, meaning the Boulder would struggle with demanding tasks. The Orange Barcelona’s performance is entirely unknown, but given the Boulder’s positioning, it likely utilized a similarly low-power chipset, potentially from MediaTek or another vendor, to achieve a comparable price point. Expect similar limitations in multitasking and app responsiveness.
Battery Life
Battery life on both the Orange Barcelona and Huawei U8350 Boulder would have been heavily influenced by usage patterns and network conditions. The Boulder’s Snapdragon S1, while low-power, was not particularly efficient. Expect a full charge to last a day with moderate use. The Barcelona’s battery capacity is unknown, but a similar-sized battery would likely yield comparable results. Charging times would have been significantly longer than modern smartphones, likely taking several hours to reach a full charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Orange Barcelona if you prioritize brand loyalty within the Orange ecosystem and can find detailed specifications confirming competitive features. It likely targeted a similar budget segment, potentially with a focus on carrier-specific services. Buy the Huawei U8350 Boulder if you need a reliably functioning, early Android smartphone with a known chipset and a reasonable expectation of performance for its time. It’s the safer bet for those seeking a functional device without the mystery.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Qualcomm MSM7225 Snapdragon S1 in the Huawei U8350 Boulder capable of running modern apps?
No, the Snapdragon S1 is a very old chipset and is not capable of running modern Android apps. It was designed for Android 2.3 Gingerbread and struggles with even basic tasks by today's standards. Attempting to run modern apps will likely result in crashes or extremely slow performance.
❓ Given the limited information on the Orange Barcelona, what should I look for if I'm considering purchasing one?
If you're considering the Orange Barcelona, prioritize finding detailed specifications, particularly regarding the chipset, RAM, and display resolution. Look for reviews or forum posts from users who have experience with the device. Be wary of listings that lack specific details, as the Barcelona's value is highly dependent on its hardware configuration.
❓ How does the ARM 11 architecture in the Boulder compare to modern CPU architectures?
The ARM 11 architecture is significantly older and less efficient than modern ARM Cortex-A series CPUs. It has fewer cores, lower clock speeds, and a less advanced instruction set. This results in much lower performance and higher power consumption for the same tasks compared to modern smartphones.
