Price and specifications of Samsung A867 Eternity advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview

The Samsung A867 Eternity is a feature phone that made its debut in the mobile market in early 2009. This device represents a time when mobile technology was making significant strides towards touchscreen interfaces and enhanced connectivity, even before the era of smartphones began to dominate. Although the device has been discontinued, it remains notable for its unique features and role in mobile technology evolution.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 109 x 56 x 13 mm and a weight of 110 g, the Samsung A867 Eternity features a compact and lightweight design. It is equipped with a Mini-SIM slot and boasts a TFT resistive touchscreen display showcasing 256K colors. The screen size is 3.2 inches, offering a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels with a ~146 ppi density, encapsulating around 47.7% screen-to-body ratio. While modern devices have shifted towards capacitive touchscreens, the resistive technology was prevalent during the time the A867 was released.

Display

The A867's screen is a 3.2-inch TFT resistive touchscreen. The resistive nature of the screen means that it relies on pressure to register input, allowing you to use a finger or stylus. Though this technology has limitations compared to modern capacitive screens, it laid the groundwork for interactive displays and improved user interfaces that followed.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the Samsung A867 Eternity offers 200MB of storage space, which can be expanded using a microSD card thanks to its dedicated slot. This was a fairly standard option at the time, as users kept fewer files on their mobile devices compared to today's standards. The phonebook can store up to 1000 contacts with additional options like photocall, while call records can hold up to 30 each of dialed, received, and missed calls.

Camera Capabilities

On the multimedia front, the A867 is equipped with a single 3.15 MP camera. Though it lacks the advanced photography features found in modern smartphones, it allows basic photo and video capture, which was sufficient for users at the time who primarily used phones for communication and not for high-end photography.

Battery Life

The phone houses a removable Li-Ion 1330 mAh battery. Users can expect up to 250 hours of standby time and up to 5 hours of talk time. This battery performance was quite typical for devices of its era, reflecting the lower energy requirements of feature phones as compared to today's smartphones.

Network and Connectivity

The Samsung A867 Eternity supports GSM and HSPA technology, working on 2G and 3G bands, specifically GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and HSDPA 850/1900. It supports data speeds up to HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps, limited compared to modern 4G and 5G standards. Connectivity options include Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless audio. Notably, it does not support Wi-Fi, a feature that has now become standard. GPS and A-GPS capabilities are included, marking the beginning of location-based services in mobile devices.

Operating System and Features

Being a feature phone, the Samsung A867 Eternity operates on a basic proprietary operating system. It includes messaging options such as SMS, EMS, MMS, Email, and Instant Messaging. The web browsing experience is facilitated by a WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML browser. The phone also includes support for Java through MIDP 2.0, allowing users to run Java-based applications and games, a common feature in phones from that time period.

Entertainment and Extras

The device is equipped with a loudspeaker for hands-free calls and media playback, although it lacks a 3.5mm audio jack. This necessitated the use of proprietary or Bluetooth headsets for audio listening. Users had access to basic games, adding to the entertainment options provided by the device.

Market Position and Legacy

Launched in late 2008 and released in early 2009, the Samsung A867 Eternity came into a market on the verge of transitioning into the smartphone era. Priced around 70 EUR at its time of release, it targeted consumers seeking touchscreen functionality without the need for complex smartphone features. Although it is now discontinued, the A867 Eternity highlights the significant developments in mobile technology design and functionality during its time, giving way to the advances that would follow in subsequent years.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Samsung A867 Eternity reflects a pivotal moment in mobile technology, bridging the gap between traditional feature phones and the rise of smartphones. While it lacks the advanced capabilities of modern devices, it offered a glimpse into the future of mobile communication with its touchscreen technology, connectivity options, and multimedia functionalities. Its role in the evolution of mobile devices is noteworthy, contributing to the design and technological innovations we experience today.