Unveiling Samsung E500 Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of Samsung E500

The Samsung E500 is a feature phone that was announced in May 2006 and has since been discontinued. Despite its age, it remains an interesting piece of technology that reflects the mobile phone trends of the mid-2000s. The E500 was designed for users who needed basic mobile functions with additional features that were considered advanced during that period.

Design and Build

The Samsung E500 boasts a compact and lightweight design, making it an easy-to-carry phone. With dimensions of 85 x 44.5 x 21.9 mm and a weight of just 77 grams, it fits comfortably in the pocket or hand. The phone uses a Mini-SIM and features a clamshell form factor, providing a stylish look typical of many mid-2000s flip phones.

Display

The phone is equipped with a 1.76-inch TFT display capable of displaying 256K colors. The screen resolution is 176 x 220 pixels, resulting in approximately 160 pixels per inch density. While small by today's standards, the display was adequate for handling the phone's primary functions and providing a colorful interface.

Camera Features

The Samsung E500 includes a single 1.3 MP main camera, which was a common specification for phones of its era. The camera allows for basic photography and video recording, making it suitable for capturing everyday moments albeit with limited quality compared to modern smartphones. There is no front-facing camera, as selfies were not yet a common feature in phones during this time.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 800 mAh battery, the E500 provides a talk time of up to 6 hours and can remain on standby for up to 270 hours. The longevity of its battery life was quite competent, considering the less power-intensive tasks it performed compared to today's smartphones.

Memory and Storage

The internal storage of the phone is 60MB, which might seem minimal by today’s standards but was standard at the time. Unfortunately, the device lacks a card slot, so expanding storage beyond what is initially available was not possible. It supports a phonebook capacity of up to 1000 entries, which was practical for keeping all necessary contact information.

Connectivity Options

Unlike modern smartphones, the Samsung E500 did not offer any WLAN capability. However, it comes with Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP support, allowing for wireless connectivity with compatible devices like wireless headsets. The phone does not feature GPS, positioning, or radio options, aligning with the simpler connectivity tech of the time. Communication with a PC is facilitated through a USB 1.1 connection.

Operation and Other Features

This device operates on GSM technology covering bands of GSM 900/1800/1900. It supports basic connectivity through GPRS Class 10 and EDGE Class 10. The phone was designed with essentials like SMS, MMS, and Email for messaging. Its browser supports WAP 2.0/xHTML protocols for basic internet browsing.

Entertainment and Additional Functionalities

The Samsung E500 includes several entertainment options, such as a selection of games like Cannonball, Bejeweled-T&B, Lemmings, and Tetris-T&B. Games were a simple yet enjoyable way for users to engage with their device during downtime. The phone also supports Java applications through MIDP 2.0, enabling the installation of compatible apps and small programs.

Audio and Alerts

The sound system on the E500 is straightforward, with a loudspeaker included for audio output. While it does not support a 3.5mm headphone jack, it offers downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones for customizable alert settings. Vibration alerts are also available as a common feature for notifications.

Conclusion

In summary, the Samsung E500 remains a fundamental piece of mobile history, representing a time when mobile phones were primarily designed for calling, texting, and basic multimedia handling. The device features essential functionalities that catered to the needs of mid-2000s consumers, with a splash of modern tech embellishments like a color display and camera. Even though it lacks the powerhouse specifications of contemporary smartphones, the E500 successfully served its purpose as a reliable communication device during its active years.