Unveiling the Panasonic A100 Series Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview

The Panasonic A100 Series was a feature phone launched in the early 2000s, specifically announced in the first quarter of 2004. Although now discontinued, this phone represented Panasonic's contribution to the mobile phone market during an era that witnessed rapid technological advancement in mobile communication devices.

Network Features

The Panasonic A100 was designed to operate on GSM networks, specifically supporting GSM 900, 1800, and 1900 bands. However, it did not support GPRS or EDGE technologies, which means it was limited to basic telephony and text messaging capabilities.

Design and Build

Dimensionally, the phone measures 77 x 44 x 17.8 mm, which translates to a compact form making it easy to carry. It weighs 66 grams, making it incredibly lightweight compared to modern smartphones. The phone supported a Mini-SIM card and was offered in three color variants: Black, Blue, and Red.

Display Specifications

The display of the Panasonic A100 was basic, featuring a graphics type display with a resolution of 112 x 64 pixels, laid out in a 16:9 ratio. It did not support color, which was characteristic of many feature phones of that era.

Memory Capacity

The Panasonic A100 did not include a card slot for expandable storage, which is typical of feature phones. It could store up to 250 contacts in its phonebook and maintained call records of the last 10 dialed, 10 received, and 10 missed calls.

Audio Capabilities

The phone lacked a loudspeaker, and a 3.5mm jack, which meant users could only hear audio through the device's earpiece. However, it included vibration alert types and downloadable polyphonic ringtones, allowing for some degree of customization of alert sounds.

Communication Features

In terms of wireless communications, the Panasonic A100 did not support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, or radio, making it primarily a device for simple calls and text messages. No USB connectivity was mentioned, which suggests limited interfacing with other devices.

Functional Features

Some of the basic features included SMS and EMS messaging capabilities, with two pre-installed games for entertainment. It did not support Java applications, limiting the expansion of software functionality beyond what was built-in. There were no special sensors or web browser functionalities integrated into the device.

Battery Life

The phone was powered by a removable Li-Ion 780 mAh battery, boasting a standby time of up to 230 hours and talk time of up to 8 hours. This long battery life was advantageous for users who primarily used their phones for calls and text messages.

Conclusion

The Panasonic A100 Series represents a period in mobile history where the primary function of mobile devices was straightforward communication. Lacking the advanced features and connectivity options of modern smartphones, it focused on delivering strong battery life and a reliable user experience for calling and basic messaging. This makes it ideal for users who preferred simplicity and ease of use without the complexities of advanced technology.