Price and specifications of Samsung L700 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Network and Connectivity

The Samsung L700 was designed with network versatility in mind. It supports GSM technology, encompassing 2G bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) and 3G bands (UMTS 2100). This allows users to enjoy seamless connectivity across various regions and operators. With a speed capability of 384 kbps, users can access the Internet and other services with relative ease for the era it was released in.

Release Information

Announced in June 2008 and released in September of the same year, the Samsung L700 entered a competitive mobile market. Although it has since been discontinued, at its time of release, it represented a balance between affordability and feature sets tailored to a broad audience.

Design and Build

The device's dimensions are 109 x 46 x 12.8 mm, making it quite compact and easy to handle. Weighing only 107 grams, it was lightweight and portable. It used a Mini-SIM format, which was standard for that period. The aesthetic appeal was complemented by several color options, including Titan Silver, Grayish Brown, Charcoal Gray, Noir Black, Rose Pink, and Lilac Violet.

Display Characteristics

The Samsung L700 is equipped with a 2.1-inch TFT display, capable of rendering 256K colors, which was sufficient for basic image viewing and interface navigation. With a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels and a density of approximately 134 pixels per inch, the display quality provided basic visual output adequate for typical phone tasks of its time.

Memory and Storage

The phone offers 40MB of internal storage, with the capacity to expand using a microSDHC card slot. The phonebook can hold up to 1000 contacts and includes a photo call feature to personalize contacts with images. It keeps track of 30 dialed, received, and missed calls, ensuring users could easily retrieve recent communication history.

Camera Capabilities

The main camera of the Samsung L700 features a single 2 MP sensor. It includes an LED flash for low-light conditions, which was a useful feature for budget cameras at the time. Additionally, the phone supported basic video recording, enabling users to capture both photos and short videos. Even though the front-facing camera specification isn't detailed, the mention of its presence indicates functionality for video or pictured communication through supported applications.

Audio and Sound Features

Audio playback on the L700 is made possible through its loudspeaker. The phone also supports vibration alerts along with downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones, offering a variety of ways to alert users for incoming calls and messages. However, the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack is notable, indicating a limitation for those seeking direct wired audio connectivity.

Communication and Networking

The Samsung L700 does not support WLAN connections, reflecting the focus on GSM/UMTS technologies for connectivity. However, it includes Bluetooth version 2.0 with A2DP for wireless data transfer and stereo audio streaming. Additionally, the phone supports USB 2.0, allowing for wired connections to other devices or computers for data exchange. It also features a Stereo FM radio with RDS, providing access to broadcast radio content.

Additional Features

This feature phone comes with several essential pre-installed applications and functionalities. Users can send SMS, EMS, MMS, and even email, accommodating varied communication preferences. The phone’s browser supports WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML, ensuring users can access the internet, albeit in a basic format. For entertainment, Java support via MIDP 2.0 allows users to download and play games, broadening the phone's utility beyond just communication.

Battery Life and Usage

The phone is powered by a removable Li-Ion 960 mAh battery. For a feature phone, it offers substantial standby and talk times. It can last up to 490 hours on standby in 2G mode and up to 280 hours in 3G. Talk time is up to 9 and a half hours for 2G networks and up to 3 hours for 3G. Such figures indicate the device's efficiency in power consumption, aligning with the user expectations of longer battery life for feature phones compared to smartphones.

Miscellaneous Features

The device includes functionality that contributes to its user-friendliness and regulatory compliance, such as a relatively low SAR rating of 0.43 W/kg for the head and 0.26 W/kg for the body in the US, and 0.72 W/kg in Europe. Price-wise, the Samsung L700 was positioned in the lower to mid-range at about 120 euros, which made it accessible to a large demographic seeking essential phone features without unnecessary frills.

Conclusion

In summary, the Samsung L700 stood out as a versatile feature phone during its time, offering a variety of network capabilities, solid build quality, and essential features tailored for the everyday user. Despite lacking advanced smartphone functionalities, it served well as a reliable communication device with additional perks such as a camera, FM radio, and memory expansion options. Its design, efficiency in battery usage, and connectivity options made it an ideal choice for those seeking practicality and reliability in a mobile phone during the late 2000s.