Samsung D500 InDepth Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview

The Samsung D500, released in Q4 of 2004, is a classic piece of mobile technology that marked a turning point in mobile phone design and features during its time. It was a slider phone, a design that was both novel and popular in the mid-2000s. This phone, which is now discontinued, offered a range of features that were considered advanced at the time, making it a popular choice among users who were seeking both style and functionality.

Design and Build

The Samsung D500 boasts a compact and stylish design with dimensions of 93.5 x 45.7 x 23.5 mm and a weight of only 99 grams. This made it lightweight and pocket-friendly, a design consideration paramount for many users during the era. The use of a sliding mechanism allowed for a larger keypad area and protected the keys from accidental presses when not in use. The phone was available in classic color options such as silver and black, adding a touch of elegance and simplicity.

Display

The Samsung D500 featured a 1.9-inch TFT display with a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels, which, for its time, provided vibrant colors and adequate sharpness, especially given its small screen size. With support for 256K colors, the screen was quite capable of rendering images and videos with decent clarity, making it suitable for viewing multimedia content despite its limited size.

Camera

In an age where mobile photography was just gaining traction, the D500 offered a 1.3 MP main camera equipped with an LED flash. This allowed users to capture basic photos and videos, a feature that was becoming increasingly popular as mobile phones expanded their functionalities beyond just calls and messages. Although basic by today’s standards, the presence of a camera was a significant selling point at the time.

Performance and Features

Under the hood, the Samsung D500 was equipped as a feature phone, focusing on a simple, reliable user interface without the complexities of a smartphone OS. It supported Java MIDP 2.0, enabling users to download and enjoy various applications and games, thus enhancing its usability beyond basic functionalities.

Connectivity was somewhat limited, as was standard for devices in this category, with no WLAN or GPS. However, it did support Bluetooth 1.1 and infrared, which allowed for basic file transfers and connectivity with other devices. Its proprietary USB connection further facilitated file management with computers, ensuring some degree of versatility.

Network and Connectivity

The device was designed for the GSM network with 2G connectivity, supporting bands of GSM 900, 1800, and 1900. GPRS Class 10 provided basic internet connectivity, and while EDGE was available, it was only supported in the D500E version. At the time, these features sufficed for standard connectivity needs like browsing via the integrated WAP 2.0/xHTML browser and sending/receiving emails through SMS, EMS, and MMS messaging services.

Memory and Storage

Internal storage was limited without the option to expand using external memory cards due to the lack of a card slot, a limitation for users accustomed to the expandable storage found in many contemporary devices. Nevertheless, the phonebook capacity was substantial, able to store 1000 entries with 12 fields and photocall capabilities, catering to the user's contact storage needs.

Call record management was built-in, supporting up to 20 dialed, 20 received, and 20 missed calls, which is reflective of a typical usage pattern where prioritizing important contacts and recent interactions was essential.

Battery Life

The Samsung D500 was powered by a removable Li-Ion 800 mAh battery. This provided up to 300 hours of standby time and up to 6 hours and 30 minutes of talk time. There was an optional standard battery offering 1000 mAh, extending standby and talk time significantly. A removable battery was a standard but appreciated feature, allowing users the option to extend the phone’s life with replacements or spares.

Sound and Audio

Audio features included a loudspeaker and support for polyphonic and MP3 ringtones, with vibration alerts. The absence of a 3.5 mm audio jack was a significant limitation, reflecting the more limited focus on audio accessories compared to today’s smartphones.

Additional Features

The D500 came with several built-in games, as well as the option to download more. No dedicated sensors were included, which was typical, and internet browsing was conducted through a standard WAP 2.0/xHTML browser, offering only basic web rendering. Despite these limitations, the Samsung D500 was equipped to deliver the essential experiences users expected from their phones at the time.

Conclusion

The Samsung D500 remains a memorable icon in the history of mobile phones. It encapsulates a period when mobile devices were expanding their capabilities while maintaining simplicity in design and functionality. While it may now seem antiquated compared to the compact powerhouses of today, it was a well-rounded device at its release, embodying the technology and design philosophies of its era. For many users, it not only met but exceeded expectations, combining communication needs with budding multimedia capabilities.