Samsung i500 Comprehensive Review Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of Samsung i500

The Samsung i500 was launched in March 2004, and it was an ambitious attempt by Samsung to capture the mobile phone market with innovation. The device was designed as a PDA-phone hybrid, operating on the Palm OS platform, which was popular for personal digital assistants (PDAs) at the time. Despite the initial buzz, the product was ultimately cancelled before it hit the commercial market. This article explores the features, specifications, and potential of the Samsung i500, providing a comprehensive look into what could have been an influential device in mobile technology.

Design and Build

The Samsung i500 was designed to be compact and handy, measuring 92 x 54 x 23 mm and weighing around 150 grams. These dimensions made it relatively small and lightweight compared to today's smartphones, which typically weigh over 180 grams. The phone used a Mini-SIM card, a common standard at the time, which fit into the sleek and robust body. The construction of the device was intended to combine elements of practicality and style, making it both functional and appealing to users who valued compactness.

Display

The device was equipped with a TFT resistive touchscreen capable of displaying 65K colors. Unfortunately, specific measurements of the screen size are not available, but the resolution stood at 162 x 176 pixels. The display aimed to provide users with enough clarity for basic tasks and navigation through the Palm operating system interface. While resistive touchscreens are not as responsive as the capacitive ones we see today, they were a standard at the time for stylus-driven interfaces, as in the case of the i500.

Performance and Operating System

Powered by a Motorola MX1 200 MHz CPU, the Samsung i500 was designed to offer smooth performance for tasks typical of PDA applications. Running on Palm OS 5.2, the device provided an efficient environment for productivity tools such as calendar, notes, and other Palm-based applications. The OS was renowned for its simple and intuitive interface, which facilitated easy usability even for first-time smartphone users.

Memory and Storage

The Samsung i500 came with 32MB of RAM and an additional 32MB of internal ROM, providing sufficient space for storing essential data and applications. Moreover, the device supported MMC cards, allowing users to expand storage for additional content and applications. While today's smartphones often offer storage capacities in gigabytes, in the early 2000s, having additional MMC slot for memory expansion was a significant advantage.

Camera Features

The Samsung i500 featured a VGA main camera, capable of capturing basic images and videos. Although the 0.3MP resolution might seem negligible today, at the time, it was considered decent for quick snapshots and recording simple videos. The absence of a front-facing selfie camera is notable, indicating the role of photography in mobile phones of that era was still developing.

Network and Connectivity

Operating on GSM 900/1800 bands, the Samsung i500 provided fundamental connectivity options for voice calls and SMS. The device offered GPRS Class 8 for data, but it did not support EDGE, which might have limited its speed for internet use significantly. Importantly, the phone did not support WLAN or Bluetooth, restricting options for wireless communications further, which was common among PDAs and phones of that time. Nonetheless, it did feature an infrared port for short-distance data transfer, which was revolutionary in its time.

Sound and Multimedia

In terms of audio, the Samsung i500 did not feature a loudspeaker or a 3.5 mm audio jack, which is rather unusual by today's standards. The alert types included vibration and downloadable polyphonic ringtones, which were standard and quite popular in that era. Multimedia support, while limited due to the phone's hardware constraints, was maximized through the Palm OS's ability to manage personal information and software applications effectively.

Battery Life

The device was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1100 mAh battery, which provided up to 100 hours of standby time and approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes of talk time. Users also had the option to use an extended Li-Ion 1700 mAh battery, though specific standby and talk times for this upgrade were not documented. Given the device's size and functionality, the battery life was quite reasonable, ensuring that active users could rely on the device throughout a short day without needing a recharge.

Conclusion

Despite its eventual cancellation, the Samsung i500 remains a fascinating piece of mobile technology history. By attempting to merge the functionalities of a PDA and a mobile phone, Samsung highlighted the demand for multi-functional devices and set the stage for future smartphones that offer both communication and productivity capabilities. While technology has since advanced leaps and bounds, the Samsung i500's innovative spirit unquestionably influenced the evolution of handheld devices.