Price and specifications of Samsung P850 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview of Samsung P850

The Samsung P850 was an iconic model in Samsung's feature phone lineup, announced in the first quarter of 2005. While it might be considered basic by today's smartphone standards, at the time of its release, it offered a range of features that made it stand out. Designed with practicality and user-friendliness in mind, the device became quite popular among those looking for a reliable mobile phone with enhanced multimedia capabilities.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung P850 boasts a compact design with dimensions of 96 x 48.5 x 26.5 mm, making it easy to carry. Weighing in at just 120 grams, the phone was designed for comfort and convenience. It featured a robust, black-colored body made with quality materials that ensured durability.

It utilized a flip design, which was a popular style at the time, offering both protection for the display and keypad as well as a compact form factor. A Mini-SIM card slot was provided, in line with the standard of its time.

Display Features

The P850 featured a 2.12-inch TFT display capable of showing up to 256K colors, with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. This allowed for clear viewing of images and interface. Despite the relatively small screen size compared to today’s standards, it was quite sufficient for basic phone operations and media viewing during its era.

Camera Capabilities

One of the standout features of the Samsung P850 was its 3.15 MP rear camera, an innovative offering for the mid-2000s. It included autofocus capability and an LED flash, which significantly enhanced the quality of photos in various lighting conditions. Although video recording was limited to CIF resolution, the device provided sufficient quality for capturing moments on the go.

Memory and Storage

The device offered 73MB of internal storage which could be expanded through a dedicated microSD card slot. This was a generous amount of storage for contacts and media at the time. The phonebook capacity allowed for storage of up to 1000 contacts with photocall capability, catering well to users needing ample space for their contacts and call logs.

Battery Life

Equipped with a removable Li-Ion 950 mAh battery, the Samsung P850 provided a standby time of up to 300 hours and a talk time of up to 3 hours. This was impressive for the time, ensuring that users could rely on their device throughout the day without needing constant recharges.

Connectivity and Communication

The phone operated on GSM networks with support for 2G bands (GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900). Although there was no EDGE support, the device did offer GPRS connectivity (Class 10), which was standard for browsing via WAP 2.0/xHTML browser. For local data transfer, the P850 featured Bluetooth 1.2 with A2DP support and USB 1.1 connectivity.

Sound and Audio Features

The Samsung P850 was equipped with stereo speakers, providing robust sound quality for a feature phone. Users could enjoy downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones, but the device lacked a 3.5mm audio jack, a common omission before smartphones popularized universal headphone connectivity.

Additional Features

Samsung equipped the P850 with several additional features enhancing its functionality. It supported Java MIDP 2.0, allowing users to download and use various Java-based applications. Messaging capabilities included SMS, EMS, MMS, and Email, enabling comprehensive communication options. Pre-loaded games provided entertainment, making it a versatile device for its users.

Final Thoughts

In summary, the Samsung P850 was a well-rounded feature phone when released, combining essential functionalities with multimedia enhancements that appealed to a broad audience. Although it has been discontinued, its impact during its era showcases Samsung's innovation in mobile technology development, bridging the gap between basic phones and the upcoming smartphone era.