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O2 XDA Zinc aka Asus Mars II

O2 XDA Zinc, aka Asus Mars II Perspective

I think I found the phone I am finally looking for, the O2 XDA Zinc (aka Asus Mars II). Not a far cry as a downgrade from my current Dell Axim with a VGA (640×480 screen, 624Mhz Processor & 16MB Dedicated 3D accelerator). This one has all the stuffs I currently need without having to carry around 2-3 devices everyday, seemingly having to have them banded in rubber bands to keep them in place and preventing from misplacing them.

Whats more, it’s made by Asus and surprisingly not HTC. It will be rebranded as usual by your local telecom carriers (launch prices for UTMS based phones ~ $1300 w/o Contract). As it’s recently FCC approved, we can see this baby coming around Q4 2006 to Q1 2007 in Asia Pacific as the O2 XDA Zinc, which is kinda cheesy for a name, now if only this were named the “XDA Stealth” instead. And now behold pics of the Dopod 838Pro Killer:

O2 XDA Zinc, aka Asus Mars II Keyboard
Slide Out Keyboard
O2 XDA Zinc, aka Asus Mars II Front
Front w/Stylus
O2 XDA Zinc, aka Asus Mars II Disassembled
Removed showing Keyboard Connector
O2 XDA Zinc, aka Asus Mars II Specs:

  • Intel PXA270 520Mhz Processor
  • Windows 5.0 OS Phone Edition
  • 64MB RAM, 128MB ROM
  • Volume 109 x 58 x 22.6mm
  • 165g with Battery
  • 2.8″ 65K 240×320 TFT LCD Screen
  • GSM (900/1800/1900Mhz) WCDMA2100, UTMS version avaliable (No HSDPA 3.5G)
  • 3G Video Calling (Depending on carrier)
  • Slide out QWERTY keyboard
  • 1300mah Battery
  • Mini-SD format (Hotswap) (+Point)
  • 3 banded 2.5mm Audio & Mic Port (+Point)
  • 2MP Autofocus Camera w/1x-2.5x DZoom w/o Marco
  • Camera Resolutions (80×60, 160×120, 320×240, 640×480, 1280×960, 1600×1200)
  • Video Resolutions (80×60, 160×120, 320×240)
  • Video capture framerate at Framerate unspecified ATM (Shoud be around 15-20fps MAX, based off current 2MP generation phones of equal specs)
  • Bluetooth 2.0
  • Infrared: SIR
  • Wireless-g/a/b Networks
  • USB, IrDA, Bluetooth Sync
  • USB Charging
  • USB Client function

From what I see, besides the all already standard functions like USB client (Sadly no USB Host though), USB sync and charging form the same port, what really sets this device from the current HTC Hermes (aka Dopod 838Pro) is not only the beefier 520Mhz Intel Xscale processor, but the very conventional 3 banded 2.5mm Audio jack, which can be easily converted to a standard (3 banded w/mic or 2 banded only stereo sound) 3.5mm jack output by means of a simple small wired adaptor you can purchase from your local audio/hi-fi/handphone store. This means you can use all your current headphones on this device right out of the box without the need of any specialised device-specific plug/adapter or so.

O2 XDA Zinc, aka Asus Mars II 1300Mah Battery
1300Mah Battery
O2 XDA Zinc, aka Asus Mars II Specs 1/2
Layout Specs 1/2
O2 XDA Zinc, aka Asus Mars II Specs 2/2
Layout Specs 1/2

Item 8 on the diagram will be the seondary 3G video call camera which is missed from the layout mapping. The 1300mah battery is of decent capacity. Moreover, Mirco-SD costs a simply a fraction of that of MicroSDs, not to mention being a more preferred mainstream media like full sized SDs, contrary to the irritating MircoSD format. At least Asus practices some form of standard here, unlike HTC.

Depending on your mobile carrier/shop, the following are standard and are included in the Box:

Package Contents

  • Asus Mars II Unit x 1
  • Battery x 1
  • AC – Mini USB Adapter x 1
  • Mini USB Cable x 1
  • Stylus x 1
  • Protection Case x 1
  • Headset x1 (Wired 2.5mm stereo with PTT MIC)
  • Companion CD x 1, Bonus CD x 1
  • User Manual x 1
  • Quick Start Guide x 1

If you are looking for an upgrade without having to go through a culture shock the Dopod 838Pro offers by having to junk all your current wired headphones & MiniSD cards as they don’t seem to fit anywhere, this is for you. Both sensible and practical… so as Asus seemingly came to realise.

6 COMMENTS

  1. The atoms are small but they sure lack a keypad/keyboard and thats what most ppc phone users complain of – unable to do one handed text entry.

    The XDA stealth on the otherhand seems to have that settled.. minus 3G

  2. Mmm I am just considering lol, cus there is also the Eten X500 with GPS, wi-fi, bluetooth, FM Radio too, just no keyboard. And the HTC Libra with a numeric keypad and slideout keyboard.

    All these expected to be out late Q4 2006 to Q1 2007.

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