Ericsson GA 628 Full Specs Prices Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview

The Ericsson GA 628 is a classic mobile phone, first announced in 1996. It was a significant device during its time, recognized for its sturdy design and straightforward functionality, which marked a step forward in early mobile communication technology. Although it has been discontinued, the GA 628 remains a part of mobile phone history for its distinctive features and reliable performance.

Design and Build

The Ericsson GA 628 boasted a robust and durable design, with dimensions of 130 x 49 x 28 mm and a weight of 160 grams. Its form factor was quintessential for mobile phones from that era, featuring a larger size compared to modern smartphones. The Mini-SIM slot was a standard feature, facilitating easy SIM card installation and replacement.

Display

This device featured an alphanumeric display capable of showing 1 line with 12 characters, which was adequate for basic operations and message display at the time. The lack of sophisticated graphics meant that displays were purely functional, focusing on efficiency and ease of reading rather than multimedia presentation.

Network and Communication

The Ericsson GA 628 operated on the GSM 900 network, catering to the 2G technology standards of the time. It did not support GPRS or EDGE, making it a basic communication tool intended primarily for voice calls and simple messaging. Despite these limitations, the phone offered reliable network connections in areas with GSM 900 service availability.

Battery Life

Equipped with a removable NiMH 1000 mAh battery, the GA 628 provided up to 125 minutes of talk time and 83 hours of stand-by time. This battery performance was considered sufficient for the simple functionalities the phone offered. The removable battery design allowed users to replace the battery easily, which contributed to the phone's longevity.

Memory and Storage

The Ericsson GA 628 featured limited memory capabilities, with no support for external card slots. It also lacked a built-in phonebook or call records storage, emphasizing that its primary purpose was communication via calls rather than data storage or retrieval.

Audio and Alerts

The phone lacked a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, typical for phones at the time. It was equipped with monophonic ringtones, which were simple alert tones that sufficed for indicating incoming calls and messages. This minimalistic approach to audio aligned with the phone's straightforward design philosophy.

Messaging

Messaging capabilities on the Ericsson GA 628 were limited to SMS only, as was common with mobile phones of its generation. The simplicity of the SMS feature meant users could engage in text messaging with ease, fostering communication without the need for advanced technologies.

Miscellaneous Features

In terms of additional features and technologies, the Ericsson GA 628 had a very basic offering. It did not include features like sensor integration, internet browsing, or even standard functions such as a built-in clock or alarm. There were no pre-installed games or Java support either. This minimalism kept the device user-centric, focusing on its core purpose—telephonic communication.

Conclusion

The Ericsson GA 628 is a testament to the early days of mobile phones, emphasizing basic functionality and robust design. It served as a reliable communication tool in its day, capitalizing on simplicity and efficiency. While today's devices have surpassed it by leaps and bounds in features and capabilities, the GA 628 remains a nostalgic reminder of the evolution of mobile technology.