Samsung E400 Comprehensive Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Revealed

Overview of Samsung E400

Released in the second quarter of 2003, the Samsung E400 represents an era when mobile phones were gaining immense popularity primarily due to their portability and communication capabilities. Designed as a feature phone, the E400 was intended for consumers seeking a simple yet effective mobile device for basic telecommunication needs. With its robust design and limited functionalities compared to today's smartphones, the E400 catered to a segment of users focused on voice calls and basic messaging, offering an economical and reliable alternative in the early 2000s mobile market.

Network and Connectivity

The Samsung E400 supported GSM technology, ensuring basic connectivity across multiple regions. The phone operated on 2G bands, specifically GSM 900, 1800, and 1900, making it versatile in terms of network coverage for that time. Its GPRS Class 8 capability allowed for basic data services, though it was limited when compared to modern internet connectivity standards. However, the absence of EDGE, WLAN, and Bluetooth features underscored its functionality as primarily a voice communication device, complemented by messaging options.

Design and Build

Compact in its form factor, the Samsung E400 measured 88 x 42 x 23 mm, making it comfortably pocket-sized. Weighing 88 grams, the phone was lightweight, thus enhancing its portability. The device featured a robust plastic construction and utilized a Mini-SIM format, common in phones from that era. While the availability of colors was limited, the SAR EU rating of 0.81 W/kg showcased its compliance with safety standards related to radiofrequency exposure.

Display

Equipped with a UFB screen capable of displaying 65K colors, the Samsung E400 provided a decent visual experience for its users. Although the screen size was small by today's standards, it featured a resolution of 128 x 144 pixels, suitable for the limited graphics and text required by its interface and functionalities. This display allowed users to navigate simple menus and view basic graphics within its limited color scheme.

Memory and Storage

The Samsung E400 did not support external storage through card slots, which was typical for many feature phones of its time. Internally, the phone could store contact information in its phonebook, accommodating up to 500 contacts with six fields for each and supporting contact groups. For call logs, it maintained records of the last 20 dialed, 20 received, and 20 missed calls, providing users with a manageable system for call management without overwhelming its limited memory capacity.

Camera Capabilities

The device did not feature a camera, consistent with the design philosophy of early 2000s phones focused primarily on communication capabilities. This absence reflects the technology progression at the time, where mobile photography was not yet a mainstream feature in mobile device designs.

Sound and Alerts

Sound features on the Samsung E400 were straightforward. The phone did not include a loudspeaker or a 3.5mm audio jack, confining audio output to its integrated speaker. However, it offered downloadable polyphonic ringtones and a composer for creating custom melodies. Alert types were fundamental, including vibration and sound alerts, aligning with typical user expectations for notification capabilities in a mobile device of its class.

Communication Features

Despite its simplicity, the E400 allowed for basic messaging, supporting SMS, enhanced messaging service (EMS), and the ability to receive MMS, which was an advanced feature at that time. The presence of a WAP 1.2 browser enabled rudimentary internet browsing, which was a significant feature for users wanting to experiment with early mobile internet access. Its infrared port provided an option for data transfer, representing the era before widespread Bluetooth adoption.

Battery Performance

Powering the Samsung E400 was a removable Li-Ion 900 mAh battery, giving users the flexibility to replace the battery when it depleted, prolonging the device's usability. The phone could sustain up to 150 hours of standby time and provide talk time of up to 3 hours and 30 minutes on a full charge, meeting the expectations for battery performance in feature phones of the early 2000s.

Entertainment and Features

For entertainment, the E400 offered a selection of four pre-installed games: "Honey Ball," "Speed Up," "Bowling," and "Midpman". These games, along with basic functionality like clock and alarm features, added a layer of entertainment to otherwise straightforward functionality. The inclusion of Java support also opened avenues for additional applications, albeit limited by the device's performance and storage constraints.

Conclusion

The Samsung E400, with its simple design, reliable performance, and basic feature set, serves as a nostalgic reminder of the evolution in mobile technology. It was crafted for a user base that prioritized voice communication and textual messaging over the advanced multimedia capabilities found in today's smartphones. Though discontinued, its presence in the mobile history timeline highlights a period where reliability, affordability, and basic functionality were paramount in consumer preferences. With its introduction, it helped lay the groundwork for future generations of mobile phones that continually expand upon connectivity, multimedia, and computing capabilities.