Samsung E1107 Crest Solar Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview of Samsung E1107 Crest Solar

The Samsung E1107 Crest Solar, released in 2009, was a unique device at the time as it featured solar charging capabilities. The phone, designed as a basic feature phone, catered to users in emerging markets where access to electricity might be limited. It offered essential functionalities with an emphasis on sustainability, introducing solar technology in the mobile phone industry.

Design and Build

The Samsung E1107 Crest Solar was built with practicality in mind. The device had dimensions of 105.2 x 44.2 x 16.4 mm and weighed approximately 77 grams. Despite its compact size, it was sturdy, housed in a durable plastic body. The phone used a mini-SIM and had a minimalist appearance with its black color, a common design choice for durability and subtlety.

Display

The phone featured a 1.52-inch CSTN screen capable of displaying 65K colors. While the resolution of 128 x 128 pixels did not offer high definition, it was sufficient for displaying simple menus and facilitating basic interaction. The screen size and quality reflected its function as a feature phone aimed at providing essential services rather than multimedia entertainment.

Solar Charging Feature

One of the standout features of the Samsung E1107 Crest Solar was its solar charging capability. Equipped with a solar panel, the phone could be charged by exposure to sunlight, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional charging methods. Although the solar charging was slow, with 10 minutes of solar charge providing up to 1 minute and 40 seconds of talk time, it was a groundbreaking feature, particularly useful for users in areas with limited access to electricity.

Battery Life

The phone housed a removable 800mAh Li-Ion battery. On a full charge through traditional means, the battery could offer up to 570 hours of standby time and up to 8 hours of talk time, making it reliable for daily usage. The integration of solar charging was intended to be a supplementary power source in case of emergencies.

Connectivity and Network

The Samsung E1107 supported GSM 900 / 1800 bands and offered basic GPRS (Class 10) connectivity. However, it did not support EDGE, Bluetooth, or WLAN connectivity, as it was primarily designed to provide fundamental communication services. The device was fitted with an FM radio, which served as its primary multimedia functionality.

Memory and Storage

In terms of memory, the Samsung E1107 could store up to 500 contacts in its phonebook and recorded up to 30 dialed, received, and missed calls. It did not support memory expansion via a microSD card slot, marking its limitation as a budget feature phone focused on core functionalities rather than data storage.

Messaging and Internet

The device supported SMS messaging and had a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser for light internet browsing, limited by the lack of high-speed data connectivity. The inclusion of Java MIDP 2.0 allowed for basic Java applications and games, providing some level of customization and entertainment.

Sound and Audio

The Samsung E1107 featured a loudspeaker for audio playback and call alerts but lacked a 3.5mm headphone jack, which restricted the use of wired headphones. The audio capabilities were mainstream for a feature phone, focusing on serving the basic need for sound alerts and speaker functions for radio listening.

Market Position and Impact

The E1107 Crest Solar was positioned as an affordable, sustainable phone option with an approximate price of 50 EUR. It aimed to cater to users in developing regions needing a reliable communication device with minimal dependence on electrical infrastructure. While it was eventually discontinued, the phone represented an early attempt by Samsung to integrate renewable energy solutions into mobile devices.

Conclusion

The Samsung E1107 Crest Solar was a niche product that highlighted the potential for incorporating eco-friendly technologies in everyday electronics. Despite its modest specifications, the phone was a step towards sustainable consumer electronics, paving the way for future innovations in renewable energy use and mobile technology.