Samsung E590 Comprehensive Review Specs and Price Breakdown

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung E590 boasts a compact and lightweight design, measuring only 94 x 42 x 13.5 mm and weighing a mere 65 grams. Its sleek body is available in two classic colors—Black and White—which cater to diverse stylistic preferences while maintaining a professional and understated aesthetic. The device features a Mini-SIM, continuing the traditional design trend of many phones during its era.

Display

The E590 is equipped with a 1.8-inch TFT display, capable of showcasing 256K colors. With a resolution of 220 x 220 pixels, the screen provides satisfactory sharpness with a pixel density of approximately 173 ppi. Although the screen-to-body ratio is around 26.5%, which is relatively low compared to today's standards, it was adequate for simple tasks and user interactions in its time.

Camera

The main camera of the Samsung E590 comes with a 3.15 MP sensor and auto-focus capabilities, a commendable feature at the time of its release. The camera can also record CIF video, although this does not match up to modern video recording standards. There is no selfie camera, a typical characteristic of feature phones from that era.

Memory and Storage

In terms of memory, the E590 offers 90MB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a dedicated microSD card slot. This setup allows users to store essential files and media, albeit not much by modern standards. The phonebook can hold up to 1000 entries, supporting photocall functionality. Call records can keep track of the last 30 dialed, received, and missed calls.

Sound and Multimedia

The Samsung E590 includes a loudspeaker and supports vibration alerts, polyphonic, and MP3 ringtones. However, it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, which might limit its music-playing capabilities without an adapter or Bluetooth accessory. The inclusion of FM radio provides additional entertainment options for users.

Connectivity

Connectivity features on the E590 include Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, which allows for wireless audio streaming to compatible devices. The phone does not support WLAN connectivity, and there's no built-in GPS. However, it provides USB 2.0 for data transfer and charging purposes.

Network and Communication

The Samsung E590 supports GSM technology across 900, 1800, and 1900 bands, catering to basic mobile communication needs. It features GPRS and EDGE Class 10 for data connectivity, which were standard pre-3G technologies.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 800 mAh battery. Under standard usage, this provides up to 300 hours of standby time and up to 4 hours of talk time. The battery design allows users to carry spare batteries for extended usage periods.

Features and Software

Operating on a proprietary feature phone system, the E590 supports SMS and MMS messaging. The browser supports WAP 2.0/xHTML, allowing basic web access. Java MIDP 2.0 compatibility opens the door for running simple Java-based applications and games, adding to the device's versatility.

Market Launch and Legacy

Announced in February 2007, the Samsung E590 was eventually discontinued. Priced at about 60 EUR, it targeted consumers seeking a feature phone with basic multimedia capabilities. The device's durability, compact design, and essential features made it a preferred choice for users prioritizing simplicity and functionality over the complexities of modern smartphones.

Conclusion

The Samsung E590 etched a special place in the annals of mobile phone history as a feature-rich, compact, and efficient device suitable for everyday users who needed a simple, reliable phone. In today's fast-evolving technology landscape, it represents an era when mobile phones were transitioning towards multifaceted communication tools while retaining user-friendly designs.