Chea 178 Unveiled Specs Prices & Pros and Cons

Overview of Chea 178

The Chea 178 is a feature phone that was announced in the second quarter of 2003 and has since been discontinued. This phone carries a classic design typical of early 2000s mobile phones. It functions primarily to facilitate basic communication needs and lacks many of the features found in modern smartphones.

Network and Connectivity

The Chea 178 operates on the GSM 900 / 1800 2G bands, which were the standard for mobile networks during its time of release. It does not support GPRS or EDGE, which means the phone is geared strictly towards voice calls and simple SMS messaging. The device does not include wireless connectivity options like WLAN or Bluetooth, and it also lacks positioning technologies such as GPS.

Design and Build

In terms of design, the Chea 178 is compact and lightweight, with dimensions measuring 106 x 45 x 20 mm and weighing just 80 grams. It supports a Mini-SIM card, which was the prevalent SIM format in use during the early 2000s. The phone is made primarily from plastic materials typical of that era, offering durability while maintaining a lightweight profile. The exact color variations it was available in are not specified.

Display

The display of the Chea 178 features an FSTN monochrome graphics screen with a resolution of 112 x 64 pixels, following a 16:9 aspect ratio. Monochrome screens were a staple in early feature phones, providing enough clarity for text display in menus and messages while conserving battery life compared to colored screens.

Memory

Memory capabilities on the Chea 178 are quite minimal. The phone does not provide support for expandable memory via a card slot. It is equipped with a phonebook that can store up to 100 contacts. Call records storage is unspecified, but likely small given the overall limitations in built-in storage.

Sound and Alerts

The Chea 178 is designed with a built-in loudspeaker for playing polyphonic ringtones, which was a popular feature at the time for customized alerts. It also supports vibration alerts but lacks a 3.5mm audio jack, indicating limited capabilities for personal audio experiences.

Features and Functionality

The phone supports basic SMS messaging, clock, and alarm functionalities—staples for any mobile phone. Pre-installed games include three basic options, and the phone supports major European languages. It does not support Java applications, which limits the extent to which additional software can be added. This reflects its role as a communication device rather than a multimedia or productivity tool.

Battery Performance

The Chea 178 is powered by a removable Li-Ion 650 mAh battery, providing up to 160 hours of standby time and up to 3 hours of talk time. These figures, suitable for a feature phone, highlight its ability to function over extended periods without requiring frequent recharges, given its low-powered hardware and display.

Conclusion

The Chea 178 represents a product from an era when mobile technology was focused on enabling communication rather than digital convergence. While it lacks the sophisticated features of modern smartphones, its compact design and essential functionality make it a representation of the early mobile communication devices aimed at users seeking a straightforward phone experience.