The Vodafone 858 Smart seems to be aimed at the pre-teen market. It has a tiny touch-screen that is difficult to navigate with adult-sized fingers, but it also has multimedia capabilities that are perfect for a teeny bopper.
The device measures just 103.8 x 56.8 x 12.6mm with rounded corners and bevelled edges to fit comfortably in the palm of the hand, or in a back pocket.
When switched on for the first time, a little Android robot waves up from the screen, and proceeds to give a lesson on how to use the phone, including how to type messages and set up Google services.
Interface and display
The Android 2.2 interface is user-friendly, with round-edged icons on the touch-screen that react with a gentle buzz when they are touched. This setting can be changed, the vibration intensified, and the volume increased, or silenced.
The biggest drawback of the phone is the small display, which is only 2.8-inches. If the user is planning on doing much besides watching YouTube videos, listening to the latest tunes or checking Facebook, they might become frustrated - because no amount of tactile feedback is going to help them hit the 'L' on the keyboard instead of the 'K', 'M', 'O' or 'P' - even if it does automatically re-orientate itself when the phone is turned horizontal. The Smart really should come with a stylus.
Unfortunately, there is no multi-touch support, so the only available zoom functions are in browser/app ones, and since the resolution is only 240 x 320, that probably won't help much.
Average apps
The phone has a fair range of 'widgets' pre-installed - including all Google services: mail, news, talk, maps, and so on. Facebook and Twitter were also pre-installed on the review model. In addition, one can download an extensive range of apps from the Android store through the phone.
There are four different 'screens' that one can easily slide between, and the user can have at least one widget running constantly on each - although this will drain the battery.
In terms of how they run though, the user will need to be patient. In fact, 'run' might be a bit optimistic; 'walk' is probably more accurate. The 528MHz processor with 256MB RAM would have been fantastic a few years ago, now it battles to keep up.
Battery life varies depending on which widgets are running. Facebook, e-mail, Bluetooth and a news service manage to run through a full workday, but charging was needed to get the device through the night.
It's not all bad, though. The phone is not particularly fast, but one gets the feeling it doesn't aim to be that kind of phone - it doesn't want to be a powerhouse business tool, or an innovative prototype gadget. It seems to aim for cute and funky. The fact that it comes with a range of coloured covers, and offers custom cover design online, seems to be proof of this.
Wired for sound
The 858 Smart comes with a standard 3.5mm earphone port, and an SD card slot in case they would rather listen to MP3s than FM radio. The sound quality is fantastic.
It also features a 2MP camera that can shoot both still frames and video. The camera has a few good features: one can adjust the light specs and zoom digitally, though adjusting these features is fiddly due to the tiny screen.
Considering the price - R999 on prepaid - the 858 Smart is perfect for someone who wants a smartphone, but can't quite afford that HTC. It provides easy access to social networks, e-mail, entertainment and news on the go.
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