Price and specifications of Samsung Z400 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview of Samsung Z400

The Samsung Z400 was announced in March 2006 and offers a combination of functionality and portability. This device signified the convergence of multimedia and mobile technology during its era, providing users with innovative features that were advanced for its time.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Z400 boasts a compact design with dimensions of 96.7 x 47.8 x 19.2 mm and a weight of 107 grams. Its sleek silver and black finish gave it a contemporary look appealing to various user demographics. The device designed with a mini-SIM slot, was robustly built, allowing for ease of use and reliable durability in daily handling.

Display

Featuring a 2.0-inch TFT screen with 256K colors, the Z400's display offered reasonable clarity and color reproduction for its time. With a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels and a 4:3 aspect ratio, the screen ensured that basic multimedia and phone functionalities were presented clearly to the user despite the relatively small size which was a standard in feature phones of that era.

Camera Features

The Samsung Z400 included a 2 MP main camera, which was competitive in the mid-2000s for capturing basic photos and short video clips. Additionally, a VGA front-facing camera was provided for video calls. While basic compared to modern smartphone standards, these features provided early mobile photography enthusiasts with a convenient digital photography tool.

Performance and Storage

Internally, the Samsung Z400 came equipped with 30MB of storage, along with a dedicated microSD slot to expand the storage capacity as needed. This allowed users to store a decent number of contacts, messages, and multimedia files for its time. The processing capabilities were typical of feature phones, focusing primarily on reliability and efficient power usage rather than high-speed operations.

Network and Connectivity

The device supported GSM and UMTS technology, providing coverage on 2G and 3G networks. This was particularly useful for those frequently on the move, as it offered connectivity options over multiple frequencies such as GSM 900/1800/1900 and UMTS 2100. With a speed capability of up to 384 kbps, users could engage in data transfers suitable for the needs during that period.

Battery Life

With a removable battery that supported up to 400 hours on standby and around 5 hours of talk time, the Samsung Z400 delivered adequate battery performance, catering to the practical needs of users without frequent charging requirements. The removable battery was an advantage for users who liked to have backup options on-the-go.

Sound and Multimedia

The phone came with a built-in loudspeaker and supported MP3 ringtones, providing a customizable auditory experience for users. However, it lacked a 3.5mm audio jack, which limited direct audio accessory connections unless proprietary adapters were used.

Communication Features

For communication, the Samsung Z400 facilitated SMS, EMS, MMS, and Email messaging, providing versatile options for staying in touch. While advanced web browsing was not practical given the WAP 2.0/xHTML browser limitations, it allowed for basic internet interaction via mobile networks.

Additional Features

Supporting downloadable games, the Z400 provided entertainment on the go, catering to the early adoption of portable gaming. However, it did not support Java-based applications, which might have limited the extensibility of third-party software.

Conclusion

The Samsung Z400 was a notable contender in the feature phone market of 2006, offering a balanced mix of design, functionality, and multimedia capabilities. While its technology might seem outdated today, it laid the groundwork for the later evolutions of mobile devices, adapting to both casual and business user needs of its time. As with many early devices, its impact lies in its contribution to the fundamental concepts in mobile technology development.