Unveiling the Samsung E640 Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Introduction to Samsung E640

Released in the first quarter of 2005, the Samsung E640 was once a popular feature phone that resonated with users seeking simplicity and functionality. Though discontinued today, the E640 left an indelible mark in the mobile industry during its heyday. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Samsung E640, delving into its specifications, features, design, and overall impact.

Design and Build

The Samsung E640 boasts a compact and lightweight design, measuring 85.5 x 45.1 x 23.5 mm and weighing just 90 grams. Its size and weight made it highly portable and easy to handle, fitting comfortably in the palm of one's hand or a pocket. The phone sported a clamshell design, a popular form factor during that era, which offered protection to the screen and keypad when not in use. Clad in sleek silver, the E640 exuded a modern look, appealing to a wide range of users.

Display

The Samsung E640 featured a TFT display capable of showing 256K colors. It provided a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels, ensuring decent clarity and vibrant color representation for its time. However, the specific size of the display is not documented, it was designed to offer a straightforward phone usage experience, with easy navigation through menus and applications.

Camera Capabilities

Equipped with a 1.3 MP camera, the Samsung E640 catered to the budding mobile photography enthusiasts of the mid-2000s. The camera featured an LED flash, allowing users to capture moments in low-light conditions. It also supported video recording at QCIF resolution, although the quality by today's standards would be considered basic. Despite the modest camera capabilities, it provided users with the means to take quick snaps and small video clips to share with friends and family.

Performance and Memory

Under the hood, the E640 ran on a feature phone operating system, known for its basic functionality and efficiency. The device had 32MB of internal storage, a limitation given the absence of a card slot for expandable memory. This storage was adequate for saving contacts, messages, and a limited number of media files. The phonebook functionality supported organizing and maintaining contacts, while the call record function could store 20 dialed, 20 received, and 20 missed calls.

Battery Life

Powering the Samsung E640 was a removable Li-Ion 820 mAh battery, a common specification for phones of its class. The removable nature of the battery allowed users to easily replace it if needed. Although specific talk and standby times are not detailed, such a battery size would typically provide several days of standby time and adequate talk time, given the phone's features and display specifications.

Connectivity

On the connectivity front, the Samsung E640 operated on GSM networks supporting GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 bands. It featured GPRS Class 10 for data connectivity but did not support EDGE, Wi-Fi, or a built-in radio. Bluetooth 1.2 provided wireless connectivity options for transferring files and connecting to Bluetooth-enabled accessories. The phone utilized a proprietary USB connection for charging and data transfer, which was a standard at the time.

Multimedia and Entertainment

Despite the absence of a loudspeaker and 3.5 mm jack, the Samsung E640 provided basic multimedia functionalities. It supported downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones, allowing users to personalize the phone's sound alerts. Moreover, it enabled users to engage in simple mobile gaming, with pre-installed games and the capability to download additional ones. The phone also supported Java MIDP 2.0, adding a layer of versatility for applications and games.

User Interface and Interaction

The Samsung E640 was equipped with a traditional feature phone user interface, relying heavily on physical buttons for navigation. The clamshell design housed a keypad with a tactile feel, allowing users to easily dial numbers and compose messages. The user interaction was complemented by WAP 2.0/xHTML browser capabilities for basic internet browsing sessions and messaging applications like SMS, MMS, and Email.

Conclusion

In summary, the Samsung E640 was a quintessential feature phone that captured the essence of mobile communication in the mid-2000s. Its compact design, coupled with useful features like a camera and the ability to download applications and games, made it a favorable choice for many. Despite its simple nature compared to today’s smartphones, the E640 embodied the technological standards and consumer needs of its time, leaving a fond memory for those who owned it during its lifecycle.