AT&T Calypso 2 review defines how this budget phone is suitable for those who want basic functions. Android 11 Go Edition, USB Type-C, and compact size.
Cheap phones always get a place in the hearts of their fans. The price that is considered equivalent to the performance of the cellphone is the main consideration. The AT&T Calypso 2 smartphone was released in October 2021 as an upgraded version of the previous model.
The compact size powered by the 1.8GHz MediaTek Helio A22 makes this gadget your little investment. The features that are worth considering from this budget phone are the large 5.5-inch display with HD+ resolution and Android 11 Go Edition for a lighter user experience.
Given the low price, your expectations must be adjusted. First, you will not get a large RAM and ROM capacity. You must be satisfied with 32GB of storage space and 2GB of RAM. Its compact size makes this budget phone only have a 2,500mAh battery capacity. You should always be ready to run out of battery power before the dinner.
This AT&T Calypso 2 (U319AA) review will explain what features can be useful and minor things to pay attention to. Thus, please read this important information before you place an order.
Page Contents:
Key Specs
AT&T Calypso 2 specifications:
| Weight | 161g |
| Dimensions | 150 x 73 x 9.7mm |
| OS | Android 11 Go Edition |
| Screen size | 5.5-inch |
| Resolution | 1440 x 720 |
| CPU | 1.8GHz Quad-core, MediaTek Helio A22 |
| RAM | 2GB |
| Storage | 32GB |
| Battery | 2,500mAh, Removable |
| Rear camera | 8MP |
| Front camera | 5MP |
| Features | USB Type-C |
Design
The AT&T Calypso 2 has a similar design language to the previous version. This phone has a rectangular design with curved accents on the edges. You will get standard plastic material on the back and a glass screen on the front.
The 5.5-inch relief screen can be accommodated in a fairly compact form factor. Having dimensions of 150 x 73 x 9.7mm, this phone is easy for you to take anywhere. One-handed use is possible if you have large hands. The weight of this phone can also be said to be light for the size of the display offered, which is 161g.
The biggest deal-breaker of this phone is the thick top and bottom bezels. This design is outdated for 2022. You will get a front camera on the top bezel and a 5.5-inch screen on the front.
On the back, you can enjoy a charming Satin Silver or Navy Blue color. At the rear, the AT&T Calypso 2 has an LED flash just below the main camera. The vertical placement of the rear camera gives a sweet and elegant effect.
The AT&T Calypso 2 is quite worthy of your possession for budget phones. Offering an attractive back design and form factor makes this phone acceptable in the market.
Display
AT&T Calypso 2 features a fairly widescreen with a diameter of 5.5 inches. For basic everyday purposes, this screen is quite reliable. The HD+ resolution of 1440 x 720 in a cell phone screen that is not extremely wide produces a fairly good screen density of 293 PPI.
The 720p screen resolution of this phone can produce 16.7 million rich colors. This value is enough to enjoy the photo and video content. Carrying a diagonal screen ratio of 18:9, this phone has entered the ranks of the latest smartphone screens.
The low price results in a big compromise on the screen aspect. AT&T Calypso 2 does not have an auto-brightness screen feature. So, you have to adjust the light level manually. This will be very inconvenient when you are outdoors.
If you use the AT&T Calypso 2 in sunlight, the screen doesn’t produce enough light, so it’s not as clear to see. This will interfere with your daily usage experience. However, if you use it only indoors, this phone can accommodate your needs well.
Camera
The AT&T Calypso 2 only has one rear camera and one front camera. It may look old school for today. The rear camera has an 8MP standard angle lens with an f/2.0 aperture.
You don’t get me wrong; this cheap camera phone can’t do much. The rear camera can take videos at 1080p at 30fps resolution. Although not equipped with video and image stabilization, this camera can accommodate the needs of shooting standard footage. If you want stable and steady video results, it is recommended to use a tripod or gimbal stabilizer.
The AT&T Calypso 2 has an interesting additional camera feature. Although not equipped with a macro camera, this phone can take portrait photos properly through software support. HDR mode support is also a good plus. The resulting photo will be more vivid and the colors more immersive.
The AT&T Calypso 2 camera is also equipped with a night mode feature useful for taking photos night or in dark places. This feature is helpful, but the resulting noise still appears and is visible. Further editing using the software may be required to produce quality photos.
This phone features a 5MP front camera with an f/2.2 aperture. The lens aperture is not so wide but can still be used for selfies and video calls. Nowadays, video calling has become a common activity to do. The AT&T Calypso 2 can answer that need.
The front camera is equipped with Face Beauty feature that ideal for women. Although not supported by Artificial Intelligence, your facial appearance can be enhanced with the front camera from AT&T Calypso 2.
Read also: AT&T Calypso (U318AA) Review: Compact Size, Budget Price
Storage
The AT&T Calypso 2 smartphone features a storage space that is not too wide. You have to settle for 32GB of storage capacity only. You can expand the storage space to 128GB using a microSD that sold separately. This capacity is sufficient to install essential applications.
However, if you like to capture precious moments using a smartphone camera, the 32GB capacity will not be enough. Moreover, the AT&T Calypso 2 camera can take 1080p at 30fps video, quickly taking up space. So, a wise option is you increase storage capacity by using a microSD card.
You should also pay attention to this storage aspect, which is not fast. Read and write speeds that are not fast. AT&T Calypso 2 can be a good choice if you can compromise all these limitations.
Performance
The AT&T Calypso 2 has a 1.8GHz Quad-core MediaTek Helio A22 chipset. This is a popular entry-level chipset, and there are no significant problems running important or light applications on it.
The AT&T Calypso 2 phone has a small RAM capacity, making it difficult to multitask and run multiple apps simultaneously. There isn’t enough free RAM space during operation, making switching between apps a slow and non-optimal experience.
The operating system already takes up quite a lot of memory. Thus, opening the application is not such a pleasant experience. You have to be patient when opening an application. The responsiveness of opening and closing applications that are not fast can be a drawback for performance lovers.
Then is the performance of the AT&T Calypso 2 reliable for everyday use? Like most budget phones, the AT&T Calypso 2 focuses more on efficiency than high performance. The performance limitations of this cheap phone you should be able to tolerate well.
You can still play games on this phone, but it is limited to 2D games. If you are a gamer who wants to play 3D games, then AT&T Calypso 2 is not for you.
On the other hand, the AT&T Calypso 2 provides decent performance for watching videos or streaming. However, when opening these applications, do not open other applications simultaneously. Again, 2GB RAM capacity cannot be overestimated.
To overcome these limitations, the manufacturer embeds the Android 11 Go Edition operating system on the AT&T Calypso 2. This version of Android removes the gimmick feature and retains only the essential features. The simple interface is expected to lighten the performance of this cheap phone. However, it is still not recommended to torture the performance of this phone.
AT&T Calypso 2 review shows that this phone still has essential features. Voice dialing and voice commands can run properly on this budget phone. This feature is essential to simplify your activities in using a smartphone.
It would be nice if this budget phone was also equipped with a fingerprint sensor or face unlock. Unfortunately, these two essential features are absent. You can only provide a password or pattern to unlock and operate this phone.
Connectivity
AT&T Calypso 2 employs 4G LTE technology for internet and calls. Although not as fast as 5G, this type of connectivity is still reliable in many area. The mobile hotspot on this phone allows connecting up to 10 devices.
The AT&T Calypso 2 features USB Type-C for battery charging, which can charge quickly. Apart from charging the battery, this port can be used to transfer files to your PC or laptop. What’s unique is that the AT&T Calypso 2 still has an audio jack, so you can use your old earphones or headset.
Battery
The small battery capacity of the AT&T Calypso 2 could be a real deal-breaker. The 2,500 mAh battery present in the AT&T Calypso 2 is sufficient for most common functions. Still, it may not last all day, considering its 5.5-inch screen size.
If you look at the spec sheet, the AT&T Calypso 2 can handle up to 16 hours of talk time and up to 528 hours of standby time. This battery performance is suitable for those who spend a lot of time on calls.
The battery is 50% charged in one hour and three hours to fully charge. Charging performance that is not so impressive requires you to be patient because the default charger output is not large. Of course, wireless charging is not yet available on this budget phone.
Is the AT&T Calypso 2 a good phone?
The AT&T Calypso 2 is one option you can consider if you’re looking for a budget phone. Selling for $40 at retail is the main attraction. Reasonable price for the features that will be obtained.
Fast 4G and USB Type-C connections provide the right advantage. You can still use this smartphone for light activities. The audio jack is still available on this phone. You can take your old audio device and plug it into this phone to enjoy your favorite music.
However, you should be able to tolerate the low RAM, ROM, and battery capacity of the AT&T Calypso 2. Don’t get your expectations too high when you buy this budget phone.
This AT&T Calypso 2 review has pointed out the advantages and disadvantages of this budget phone. Judging from these aspects, the AT&T Calypso 2 is ideal for ordinary users, seniors, or children.
AT&T Calypso 2 Pros:
- Android 11 Go Edition
- USB Type-C
- Low price
AT&T Calypso 2 Cons:
- Small internal storage
- Low performance
