BenQ A500 Comprehensive Review and Price Analysis

Network Capabilities

The BenQ A500 is equipped with GSM technology, which was the standard for mobile communication at the time of its release in the fourth quarter of 2004. It supports GSM bands of 900, 1800, and 1900, allowing it to operate on various networks across different regions. Its class 10 GPRS capability enables basic mobile internet access, although it lacks EDGE support, limiting higher-speed data transmission.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 83.5 x 45 x 23.1 mm, the BenQ A500 features a compact and portable design typical of feature phones from the early 2000s. Weighing just 98 grams, it is lightweight and easy to carry. The phone uses a Mini-SIM card and was available in three vibrant colors: Electric Blue, Cool Pink, and Funky Gold, reflecting a playful and youthful design aesthetic.

Display

The device sports a 1.9-inch TFT display that supports 256K colors. Despite its small screen size, it provides a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels, offering a pixel density of roughly 108 ppi. This screen configuration was sufficient for basic tasks such as viewing messages and navigating the primitive user interface.

Memory and Storage

The BenQ A500 comes with 20MB of internal storage. While this seems negligible by modern standards, it was adequate for storing contacts, messages, and a few multimedia files. The phone supports a phonebook capacity of 500 entries, complete with photo call capabilities. However, it lacks a memory card slot, which means users cannot expand the storage capacity.

Camera Features

The phone is equipped with a single VGA camera with a 0.3MP resolution. At the time, having a camera was a significant feature even if the image quality was not particularly high. The device supports basic video recording, enabling users to capture memories despite the limited quality.

Sound and Alerts

Though the BenQ A500 lacks a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, it supports vibration alerts and downloadable polyphonic ringtones, along with a composer for creating custom tones. These features were quite popular, allowing for personalization of alert sounds.

Connectivity Options

This device doesn't include modern connectivity features like WLAN or Bluetooth. However, it does feature an infrared port, which allowed for wireless data transfer between compatible devices. The lack of a radio and USB connectivity marks clear limitations for modern connectivity needs.

Software and Features

The BenQ A500 runs on a feature phone operating system, which enables basic messaging services such as SMS, EMS, and MMS. It comes with a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser to support simple internet browsing. Additionally, it offers three pre-loaded Java games, with the option to download more, which is a notable feature given the limited resources and storage space of the phone.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 700 mAh battery, the BenQ A500 was optimized for efficiency rather than performance. It offers up to 180 hours of standby time and up to 3 hours of talk time, providing sufficient usage for basic communication needs typical of the era.

Conclusion

The BenQ A500 represents an era of mobile phones that balanced essential communication tools with playful design elements. While it may be considered limited by today's standards, it served as a functional device for users in need of basic phone features. Its focus on essential connectivity and personalized use made it distinctive in the mid-2000s mobile phone market.