Comprehensive Review Eten glofiish X900 Specs Pricing & Performance

Overview

The Eten glofiish X900, introduced in June 2008 and released the same year, was a notable entry into the smartphone market during its time. Although now discontinued, it remains an interesting device to examine, as it combines some pioneering features in connectivity and design with elements typical of early smartphone technology.

Network and Connectivity

The Eten glofiish X900 was designed to support both GSM and HSPA networks. It offered a wide range of 2G bands, including GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900, making it suitable for global communication. The 3G support extended to HSDPA bands at frequencies of 850, 1900, and 2100, which allowed for better mobile internet access, providing speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps for downloading and 384 Kbps for uploading. Such specifications were advanced for the time, reflecting the transitional technology phase where 3G was beginning to gain broader acceptance over 2G networks.

Design and Build

In terms of build, the Eten glofiish X900 had dimensions of 106 x 60.5 x 17 mm and weighed 147 grams. It housed a Mini-SIM slot and featured a solid construction typical of smartphones in the late 2000s. The device's compact size made it quite manageable to carry and use with one hand, which was a preferred design approach before the phablet trend emerged.

Display

The handset sported a 2.8-inch TFT resistive touchscreen with a resolution of 480 x 640 pixels, resulting in a fairly high pixel density of approximately 286 ppi. The display's 65K color depth was customary for the time, providing users with satisfactory visual clarity for day-to-day tasks and media consumption. Despite its limited color range by today’s standards, the screen was considered quite effective for navigating and interacting with the device’s features.

Operating System and Performance

Running on Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, the Eten glofiish X900 leveraged a Samsung S3C 6400 processor clocked at 533 MHz. While this may seem modest by current standards, the performance was adequate for the typical applications of the era. The device catered well to professionals who required basic productivity tools such as email, calendar, and document viewing. Its inclusion of a stylus further enhanced navigation and input precision on the resistive touchscreen.

Memory and Storage

With 128MB of RAM and 256MB of ROM, the Eten glofiish X900 offered limited storage capacity. However, the presence of a dedicated microSD slot allowed users to expand the storage, which was a significant advantage for those needing additional space for applications, multimedia files, and documents.

Camera Capabilities

The main camera of the device featured a 3.15 MP sensor with auto-focus capability, which was fairly standard at the time for capturing decent photos. It also supported video recording. A secondary VGA camera was present for video calls, a feature that was gaining popularity as mobile networks improved their support for such functions.

Audio and Sound

The device included a loudspeaker and supported vibration alerts along with downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. However, it lacked a 3.5mm headphone jack, which was a drawback for audiophiles or those who preferred traditional wired headphones. Instead, proprietary accessories or Bluetooth alternatives were necessary for private listening.

Communication Features

For wireless connectivity, the Eten glofiish X900 supported Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, allowing users to connect to wireless networks effortlessly. Bluetooth 2.0 was also supported for short-range communication with other devices. One of the standout features was the integrated GPS with SiRF Star III chipset, which facilitated navigation applications, making the device appealing for frequent travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. However, it did not feature an FM radio, a common multimedia function at the time.

Battery and Power

The smartphone was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1300mAh battery. This capacity was slightly higher than some competing models, potentially offering reasonable battery life given the hardware specifications and usage patterns of the time. However, like many smartphones from this era, users often carried additional batteries for extended use, due to the relatively high power consumption of early smartphones.

Pricing and Market Position

When launched, the Eten glofiish X900 was priced at approximately 350 EUR. This positioned it as a mid-range smartphone, targeting professionals and tech enthusiasts looking for a robust device offering a blend of mobile productivity and connectivity features. Although it did not become a market leader, it nonetheless provided a stepping stone towards more feature-rich smartphones and contributed to the evolution of mobile technology.

Legacy and Conclusion

While the Eten glofiish X900 is a discontinued product today, its blend of early mobile technology features reflects the rapid enhancement curve of smartphones in the late 2000s. It represents an era where multifunctionality started to converge into smaller devices, laying the groundwork for the extensive capabilities modern smartphones offer now. Its hardware and software choices illustrate the balance designers of the period aimed to strike between functionality and the technological limits of the time.