Samsung D720 InDepth Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Revealed

Overview

The Samsung D720 was a smartphone released in the first quarter of 2005, marking Samsung's venture into the Symbian OS arena. It was a unique blend of functionality and style that aimed to cater to the tech-savvy consumer market of its time. While the device is now discontinued, it remains a notable part of Samsung’s mobile phone evolution history.

Design and Build

The Samsung D720 boasts a compact design with dimensions of 99 x 47 x 23 mm, and it weighs just 115 g, making it fairly easy to carry around even by the standards of the mid-2000s. The mini-SIM capability makes it compatible with standard GSM networks of that era, operating on bands GSM 900/1800/1900. Available in black, red, and white color variants, the D720 provided some options for personal style expression.

Display

The phone features a 1.8-inch TFT display with 256K colors, which was quite standard at the time for mid-range smartphones. The screen’s resolution is 176 x 220 pixels, giving it a pixel density of approximately 157 pixels per inch. While the screen-to-body ratio is about 21.9%, the phone strikes a balance between display size and portability, though it might be considered small by today's standards.

Camera

Equipped with a single 1.3 MP rear camera, the Samsung D720 includes an LED flash to improve photo quality in low light conditions. The camera’s simplicity aligns with the typical offerings of the era, providing the basic capability to capture still images and record video. There is no front-facing camera, which was a common omission in that period.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Samsung D720 runs on Symbian OS 7.0 with a Series 60 user interface, powered by a TI 192 MHz processor. While modest in comparison to today's standards, this setup was adequate for running basic applications and providing a smooth user experience at the time. The device features 18MB of internal storage, expandable via an MMC-micro slot, though this could quickly become limiting for users storing multimedia content.

Battery Life

The removable Li-Ion 900 mAh battery offers a standby time of up to 170 hours and a talk time of up to 4 hours. This was considered reasonable, ensuring users could use the device throughout the day with moderate usage. The removable nature of the battery also allows for easy replacements, which is a feature less common in modern smartphones.

Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the Samsung D720 includes Bluetooth 2.0, allowing for wireless communication with other devices such as headsets and computers. However, it lacks support for WLAN and radio, limiting some aspects of wireless connectivity. The device uses a proprietary USB port for charging and data transfer, which was standard for the time.

Sound and Multimedia

The phone is equipped with stereo speakers, providing a decent auditory experience for calls and audio playback. Alert tones include vibration and downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones, a feature that was popular for personalizing the mobile device experience. However, it does not include a 3.5mm audio jack, which might have been a limitation for users wanting to use standard headphones.

Miscellaneous Features

The device includes a basic WAP 2.0/xHTML browser to offer web browsing capabilities. While smartphones have since vastly improved internet browsing functionalities, this feature was in line with competitive offerings during the phone's release era. There are no built-in sensors or advanced features like GPS positioning, keeping the device comparatively simplistic yet functional.

Conclusion

The Samsung D720 stands as a classic example of mid-2000s smartphone innovation, blending essential features with robust design. While its specifications would be considered quite basic by today's standards, it served its purpose for its time, providing consumers a reliable and stylish handset. In retrospect, the D720 highlights the advancements in mobile technology and is a testament to the evolution of smartphones in the last two decades.