Bird S299 The AllinOne Guide to Features Pricing and More

Design and Build

The Bird S299 is a feature phone that was announced in the second quarter of 2005 and has since been discontinued. Its compact body measurements of 104 x 44 x 14 mm and lightweight of 70 grams make it extremely portable and easy to handle. It accommodates a Mini-SIM, and its simplistic design was quite suitable for basic communication needs during its prime time.

Display

Fitted with a CSTN mono display, the Bird S299 showcases information with a resolution of 112 x 80 pixels. While the lack of color and the limited resolution might not meet modern standards, at the time of its release, it was adequate for displaying text messages and contact information. The screen size is unspecified, but it's clear that the device focuses more on functionality over aesthetics.

Memory

The device comes with no card slot for expandable memory, indicating that storage is limited to what's built-in. It does, however, include a phonebook that can store up to 200 entries, which would cover basic contact storage requirements. Additionally, the call log can maintain records of the last 20 dialed, received, and missed calls, sufficient for daily use at the time.

Camera

The Bird S299 does not feature any camera capabilities. Given the era of its release and its classification as a feature phone, this omission is not surprising. The lack of a camera aimed to keep the device simple, focusing on essential phone functionalities instead.

Sound

Although the phone does not support a loudspeaker or a 3.5mm headphone jack, it does feature polyphonic ringtones capable of up to 16 different tones, which was a common feature in devices during that period. Alerts can be set to vibration or ringtone, ensuring users can customize their notification preferences.

Network and Connectivity

The Bird S299 operates on GSM 900/1800 bands and offers GPRS connectivity, though it lacks EDGE support. It does not include advanced connectivity options like Bluetooth, WLAN, or GPS positioning, reinforcing its focus on basic phone operations. The presence of FM radio offers an additional entertainment option, compensating somewhat for the absence of modern multimedia features.

Features and Operating System

Functioning on a feature phone operating system, the S299 supports SMS messaging and a WAP browser for simple web access. It also provides basic gaming options, albeit without Java support. Unlike smartphones, it doesn't include any sensors, simplifying its technological demands and usage.

Battery Life

Equipped with a removable Li-Ion battery of 900mAh, the Bird S299 offers a standby time of up to 200 hours and talk time of up to 3 hours. These battery specifications, although minimal by today’s standards, were relatively sufficient for its functionalities as a basic communication device.

Conclusion

The Bird S299 embodies the classic features of early 2000s mobile technology, emphasizing basic functionalities over an array of features. Its simplistic design, straightforward operating system, and minimalistic connectivity options highlight a time when mobile phones were primarily used for calls and messages. Even though it does not compete with contemporary phones, the S299 serves as a reminder of the rapid evolution in mobile technology over the past two decades.