Samsung E950 Comprehensive Review of Specs Prices and Features

Overview of Samsung E950

The Samsung E950, announced in June 2007, is a classic example of the feature phones era. Released at a time when the world was transitioning to smartphones, the E950 offered a blend of essential communication features combined with multimedia capabilities, all in a sleek, compact design. Although discontinued, it was available at a price of about 130 EUR. This article dives into every detail of the Samsung E950 to highlight its technological features and design, which were considered advanced at the time of its release.

Design and Build

The Samsung E950 featured a compact and lightweight design, with dimensions measuring 98 x 46 x 15 mm and weighing only 88 grams. This made it easy to carry around, fitting comfortably in the pocket or hand. The body of the phone was crafted with attention to detail, providing a modern look with its black color option. Though simple, its design was appreciated for its practicality and ease of use, featuring a sliding mechanism to reveal its keypad, a design trait common during its time.

Display

The phone sported a 2.0-inch TFT display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, offering decent color reproduction with 256K colors. This resulted in a pixel density of approximately 200 ppi, which was standard for devices from that era. While not comparable to modern smartphone displays, the screen served its purpose by effectively displaying text and images for basic phone functions.

Camera

In terms of photography, the Samsung E950 came equipped with a 3.15-megapixel rear camera, which included an LED flash for enhanced lighting. The camera was capable of capturing images and CIF-quality videos. While it lacked advanced features found in smartphones today, such as multiple lenses or high-resolution video recording, the camera was adequate for capturing everyday moments, especially in good lighting conditions.

Network and Connectivity

The device supported GSM technology and operated on 2G bands, specifically GSM 900, 1800, and 1900. For data connectivity, it offered GPRS and EDGE, both class 10, allowing for basic web browsing and data services. In terms of wireless connectivity, the phone included Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP support, enabling users to connect wireless headphones or share files. It also featured a stereo FM radio with RDS and USB 2.0 for wired connections.

Memory and Storage

The Samsung E950 housed an internal memory of 60MB, providing storage space for essential applications and data. Although the internal memory was limited, it offered a dedicated microSD slot that allowed for memory expansion, ensuring users could store more media files and applications as needed. The phonebook supported up to 1000 entries with photo call functionality, and it kept records of 30 dialed, received, and missed calls.

Software and User Interface

Operating as a feature phone, the Samsung E950 was not equipped with a smartphone OS but rather relied on a proprietary platform. It was designed for efficiency in basic phone functions such as calling, messaging (including SMS, MMS, and Email), and browsing through WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML with the NetFront 3.4 browser. For entertainment, it supported Java applications with MIDP 2.0, offering built-in and downloadable games.

Battery Life

The phone’s energy needs were managed by a removable Li-Ion 800 mAh battery. On stand-by, the battery life could last up to 260 hours, while talk time was up to 3 hours. This performance was quite typical for feature phones, balancing usage hours with convenient portability and ease of recharging.

Sound and Multimedia

For audio, the Samsung E950 did not have a loudspeaker but supported vibration and downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. While it lacked a 3.5mm headphone jack, users could listen to music or radio through compatible Bluetooth headphones. The multimedia capabilities were supplemented by its stereo FM radio, offering users access to their favorite radio stations on the go.

Additional Features

In its essence, the Samsung E950 provided various practical features, including an intuitive user interface for messaging and calls, support for downloadable games, and Java compatibility. While it didn’t include advanced sensors, it did excel in areas crucial for its time, being a reliable communication device with a practical feature set.

Conclusion

In retrospect, the Samsung E950 is a relic from a transitional period in mobile technology, bridging the gap between the rudimentary cell phones and the versatile smartphones. Its functional design, reasonable multimedia capabilities, and essential connectivity options made it a device worth considering during its release. Though now outshined by modern technology, the Samsung E950 remains a testament to the evolution of mobile phones, exemplifying simplicity with an efficient feature set.