Unveiling the Samsung E740 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung E740 comes with a sleek and compact design that was quite appealing during its time. With dimensions of 97 x 46 x 15.9 mm and a weight of only 92 grams, it fits comfortably in hand and is easy to carry around. The device's construction is robust, ensuring durability, and it features a Mini-SIM slot, which was the standard in mobile phones at that time. The red color variant of the device adds a vibrant touch to its otherwise simple aesthetic.

Display

The phone features a 2.0-inch TFT display with a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 141 ppi. This screen size and resolution were quite standard for feature phones in 2007. The display supports 256K colors, providing a decent viewing experience for basic tasks like reading messages or viewing photos. The screen-to-body ratio of around 28.2% means that while the screen is relatively small, it is sufficient for a device of its class.

Camera

The Samsung E740 is equipped with a single 2 MP main camera capable of capturing images with a reasonable degree of clarity for a feature phone. It also supports video recording at QCIF quality. While it may not compare with modern smartphone cameras, this offering was adequate for taking casual snapshots and recording brief video clips at the time of its launch. The absence of a front camera aligns with its status as a basic phone.

Memory and Storage

The internal memory of the E740 is limited to 30 MB, which necessitates efficient management of space by the user. However, the presence of a dedicated microSD card slot allows for expanded storage, accommodating additional multimedia files and applications. The phone supports a phonebook capacity of up to 1000 contacts, along with photocall functionality. Call records can store information about the last 20 dialed, received, and missed calls.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 880 mAh battery, the Samsung E740 offers a reasonable battery life for a feature phone. It provides a standby time of up to 200 hours and a talk time of approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. The removable nature of the battery allows for easy replacement, extending the longevity of the device over time.

Network and Connectivity

The E740 supports GSM technology, operating on 2G bands GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900. It offers GPRS Class 10 and EDGE Class 10 for data transfer, which were fairly standard communication technologies at its release. Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP ensures wireless connectivity for compatible devices, while USB 2.0 provides the primary method for wired data transfer and charging. Although it lacks Wi-Fi capability, it includes FM radio for on-the-go entertainment.

Multimedia and Features

The device supports various alert types, including vibration and downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. It is equipped with a loudspeaker but lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, which might require users to use proprietary or Bluetooth audio accessories. The phone also supports Java MIDP 2.0, allowing users to download and run Java-based applications and games. Messaging capabilities include SMS, EMS, MMS, and Email, with a browser capable of WAP 2.0/xHTML, offering basic internet browsing.

Launch and Market Position

Announced in February 2007, the Samsung E740 was positioned as an affordable feature phone and was eventually discontinued. At its launch, it was priced at around 120 EUR, appealing to users looking for a straightforward, cost-effective mobile device. While the phone lacks many of the features found in modern smartphones, it served as a reliable communication tool in its time.

Conclusion

The Samsung E740 stands as a testament to the feature phone era, characterized by simplicity and functionality within a compact design. Despite its limitations in today's smartphone-driven market, it provided essential features and connectivity during its time. Its expandable storage, compact form factor, and basic multimedia capabilities made it a suitable choice for users seeking a reliable, uncomplicated mobile device for everyday communication.