Samsung E890 Comprehensive Review of Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Design and Build

The Samsung E890 is a sleek and compact feature phone that was announced in October 2006. Sporting dimensions of 99.5 x 50 x 14.6 mm and weighing just 82 grams, it is a highly portable device that fits comfortably into the palm of your hand or pocket. The device features a minimalist design with a silver finish, exuding an elegant and timeless aesthetic. It uses a mini-SIM format, which was standard for phones during that period.

Display

The phone is equipped with a 2.3-inch TFT resistive touchscreen capable of displaying 256K colors. With a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels and a 4:3 aspect ratio, the screen offers a pixel density of around 174 ppi. The display, although limited by today's standards, is quite adequate for basic tasks such as reading texts and browsing through menus. The touchscreen, though resistive, was a notable feature at the time since it allowed for basic touch inputs, a step above the standard button-based navigation of earlier feature phones.

Performance and Software

While the Samsung E890 does not boast an advanced processor or large RAM capacity as seen in modern smartphones, it operates efficiently within its own ecosystem as a feature phone. It runs on a proprietary operating system that enables basic functionalities such as messaging, calling, and the use of simple applications. It supports Java MIDP 2.0, which allows users to download and install Java-based applications and games.

Camera

The device features a single 1.3 MP camera, which was fairly standard for mobile devices in its category at the time. It is capable of capturing basic photos and videos, serving users who required elementary photographic capabilities. While it lacks advanced features such as autofocus or flash, it was suitable for casual photography and was a bonus feature for a device primarily aimed at communication.

Storage and Memory

The Samsung E890 comes with an internal storage capacity of 54MB, which can accommodate basic multimedia files and applications. Additionally, it includes a dedicated microSD card slot, allowing users to expand storage capacity and store more photos, music, and other media. The phone supports a phonebook and call records, capable of storing up to 30 dialed, received, and missed calls.

Connectivity

The phone operates on GSM networks, supporting 900, 1800, and 1900 bands. It offers GPRS and EDGE Class 10 connectivity for mobile internet, although it lacks modern internet capabilities. The Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP support allows for wireless communication with compatible devices, such as headsets and computers. However, it does not offer WLAN and GPS functionality, which was typical for feature phones of that era.

Audio and Multimedia

The Samsung E890 does not have a built-in loudspeaker, but it supports vibration and offers downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. It does not come with a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, so users needing audio output had to rely on compatible Bluetooth headsets or proprietary connectors.

Battery Life

The phone is powered by a removable Li-Ion 880 mAh battery, providing a standby time of up to 350 hours and a talk time of up to 3 hours and 50 minutes. The battery life was one of the strengths of feature phones during this time, as they did not consume as much power as today's smartphones, giving users extended periods of usage between charges.

Messaging and Browser

As a communication-centric device, the Samsung E890 supports a variety of messaging services including SMS, EMS, MMS, email, and instant messaging. The integrated WAP 2.0/xHTML browser offers basic internet browsing capabilities, enough for simple and text-based internet services available at the time.

Pricing and Availability

At launch, the Samsung E890 was priced at approximately 110 EUR, positioned as an affordable device offering essential features with a touch of modernity brought in by the touchscreen capability. However, it has since been discontinued, making it a collector's item or memory for those who valued its services back in the day.

Conclusion

The Samsung E890 serves as a testament to the evolving nature of mobile communication devices, bridging the gap between purely feature-centric devices and the advent of smart capabilities with its touch interface. While it may not stand out in today's feature-rich market, it played an essential role in mobile phone history and provided a functional, easy-to-use communication solution for its users.