Bosch Com 738 Comprehensive Review of Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview

The Bosch Com 738 is a nostalgic reminder of the mobile phone technology in the mid-1990s. Announced in 1996, this phone was designed during an era when mobile communication was starting to become more mainstream. Despite lacking many of the advanced features found in today's smartphones, the Bosch Com 738 served as a crucial stepping stone in mobile telephony.

Network and Connectivity

The Bosch Com 738 was compatible with GSM technology, operating on GSM 900 and 1800 bands. However, the device did not support GPRS or EDGE, which means internet connectivity was non-existent. This was not uncommon for phones of that era, as mobile internet was still in its infancy.

Launch and Availability

Introduced in 1996, the Bosch Com 738 has long been discontinued. During its time, it catered to a niche audience looking for basic telephony with reliable service. Being a predecessor in mobile communication, it played its role before technology rapidly advanced to include smartphones and other smart devices.

Body and Design

The dimensions of the Bosch Com 738, measuring at 142 x 53 x 18 mm, reflect the bulkier design preferences of the time. Although large by today's standards, the weight of 189 grams offered reassurance in durability and robustness. The phone used a Mini-SIM, standard for phones of its generation.

Display

Featuring a monochrome graphic display, the Bosch Com 738's screen could support up to 4 lines of text using 16 characters per line. While it had limitations compared to modern displays, it was perfectly adequate for effectively displaying text messages and call information at the time.

Memory and Storage

The phone did not include a card slot for expandable storage, but its internal phonebook could store up to 100 contacts. The call records feature allowed users to keep track of 10 dialed, 10 received, and 10 missed calls, providing basic functionalities that were crucial for communication management.

Camera and Multimedia

The Bosch Com 738 did not include a camera, which was standard for phones in the 1990s. Multimedia features were minimal, confined primarily to monophonic ringtones for alerts. The phone lacked a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm jack, emphasizing its focus on voice calls rather than multimedia capabilities.

Communication Features

Absent of modern-day communication features such as WLAN, Bluetooth, positioning systems, or radio, the Bosch Com 738 focused on providing reliable voice calls. It could send and receive SMS, a primary mode of text communication at the time. With no USB port, connecting the device to other systems was not an option.

Other Features

The Bosch Com 738 offered essential tools such as a clock and alarm. However, additional entertainment features like games or Java-based applications were not available, reflecting the utilitarian focus of mobile phones during this period.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 650 mAh battery, the Bosch Com 738 could stand by for up to 70 hours, with a talk time of up to 200 minutes. The battery life was modest, but it met the usage patterns of its time, where constant connectivity was not a necessity.

Conclusion

The Bosch Com 738 serves as a technological artifact from a significant period in mobile communication history. While its features are limited compared to contemporary devices, the phone provided essential communication capabilities that laid the foundation for future advancements. Its legacy remains as a reminder of how far mobile technology has evolved.