Price and specifications of Samsung T629 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview of Samsung T629

The Samsung T629 is a feature phone that was announced and released in the third quarter of 2006. As a mid-2000s mobile device, it captures the essence of the transitional period in mobile technology, where the market was shifting from basic feature phones to more advanced smartphones. The device was known for its compact design, multimedia capabilities, and affordability, making it a viable option for consumers seeking reliable mobile communication without the complexity of a smartphone.

Design and Build

The Samsung T629 is characterized by its elegant slider design, a popular style during its release era. The dimensions of the device are 99 x 50.8 x 14 mm, and it weighs just 91 grams, which makes it easy to carry and operate. The phone is equipped with a Mini-SIM slot, which was standard at the time. Its sleek design and lightweight build made it appealing to users who preferred compactness and portability in mobile devices.

Display

The phone features a 2.1-inch TFT display supporting 256K colors. With a screen resolution of 176 x 220 pixels, the display offers sufficient clarity for the type of content it needed to handle at the time, such as SMS, call logs, and simple browsing. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 27.6%, highlighting the era's focus more on functionality than large-screen displays.

Camera Capabilities

The Samsung T629 is equipped with a 1.3 MP rear camera capable of capturing images and recording video. Although it may seem modest by today's standards, this camera offered users the opportunity to take casual photos and videos, which was an important feature for many users during its time.

Performance and Memory

The device comes with internal storage of 17MB, complemented by a microSD slot for expandable storage. This allows users to store essential files and install Java-based applications. It offers enough capacity for saving numerous contacts, as the phonebook can hold up to 1000 entries, and has the ability to store photo call IDs.

Network and Connectivity

The Samsung T629 operates on GSM networks, supporting a variety of GSM frequencies such as 850, 900, 1800, and 1900. It is equipped with GPRS and EDGE class 10 technologies, providing basic internet capabilities. For local data transfers, the phone features Bluetooth, but lacks WiFi and GPS, which are more common in later smartphones.

Battery Life

Fueled by a removable Li-Ion 950mAh battery, the Samsung T629 offers decent battery performance for a feature phone. It provides a standby time of up to 200 hours and a talk time of up to 2 hours and 30 minutes. This was quite reliable for a feature phone, addressing the needs of users who prioritized long battery life.

Multimedia and Additional Features

The phone supports various messaging formats including SMS, MMS, and IM, and features a WAP 2.0 browser for basic internet browsing. It supports Java MIDP 2.0, allowing users to run Java applications and games. Despite lacking a 3.5mm audio jack, it has a loudspeaker for speakerphone functionality and media playback.

Conclusion

Despite its discontinuation, the Samsung T629 remains a testament to the mobile technologies of the mid-2000s. It was a feature-rich choice for consumers seeking a simple, reliable, and slightly stylish mobile device. For users nostalgic for the pre-smartphone era or those requiring basic functionalities in a phone, the T629 exemplifies an era of useful and practical mobile tech.