Samsung Z550 Unveiling Features Pricing and More

Overview of Samsung Z550

The Samsung Z550 was launched in March 2006 as a feature phone catering to users seeking basic functionality with some added multimedia features. Though being a discontinued model now, during its time, it showcased the balance between usability and compact design alongside some advanced features for the era. Below, we dive deep into the features and specifications that made the Samsung Z550 a noteworthy device in its day.

Design and Build

Despite being a classic clamshell design, the Samsung Z550 had a refined aesthetic with dimensions of 93 x 45 x 17.5 mm. This compact form factor made it highly portable and convenient for one-handed use. The phone weighed just 95 grams, which further contributed to its ease of handling and ergonomic design. The Z550 used a Mini-SIM card and featured physical buttons that were known for durability and tactile feedback.

Display

The Samsung Z550 was equipped with a 2.0-inch TFT display supporting 256K colors. This display had a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, offering a decent pixel density of ~200 ppi. Although it might not match today's standards of sharpness and clarity, it provided sufficient visual quality for browsing through menus and viewing multimedia content of that time.

Camera

The phone sported a 2 MP single main camera, which was impressive for a feature phone in 2006. It also allowed for video recording, thus enabling users to capture both photos and videos on the go. As for the selfie camera, the Z550 was equipped with a videocall camera that facilitated video calls, a feature relatively new at the time.

Storage and Memory

Internally, the Samsung Z550 offered 138MB of storage, which was considered adequate for storing contacts, few multimedia files, and applications. The presence of a dedicated microSD slot allowed users to expand storage capacity significantly. Memory management was facilitated by phonebook features and the ability to record 20 dialed, received, and missed calls.

Network and Connectivity

The phone supported GSM/UMTS technology, with 2G bands covering 900/1800/1900 frequencies, and 3G connectivity through UMTS 2100. With a speed of up to 384 kbps, users could enjoy basic internet features. However, the phone did not support WLAN or GPS. Key connectivity features included Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP support and a proprietary USB port for data transfer.

Battery

Powering the Samsung Z550 was a removable battery, which was a standard at the time, allowing users to easily swap batteries if needed. The exact battery specifications aren't detailed, but it provided enough power for its feature set and was sufficient for typical daily usage in an era with lower power demands from smartphones.

Sound and Multimedia

The phone featured stereo speakers that delivered acceptable sound quality for calls and music. Although it did not have a 3.5mm jack, a common limitation in earlier models, users could still enjoy alerts through vibration, downloadable polyphonic, and MP3 ringtones, enhancing the user experience.

Operating System and Software

Running on a feature phone operating system, the Samsung Z550 supported basic applications and utilities. Messaging options included SMS, EMS, MMS, and Email, making it versatile for communication. The WAP 2.0/xHTML browser provided minimal internet access. It also supported Java MIDP 2.0, allowing additional applications like games, which were downloadable.

Miscellaneous Features

The Samsung Z550 was available in a standard color range, offering users some choice of personalization. While it lacked advanced sensors and modern smartphone features, it satisfactorily met the needs of a basic phone user during its time. Its solid build, basic multimedia capabilities, and connectivity options made it a popular choice among feature phone users during its time of release.

Conclusion

The Samsung Z550 stands as a testament to mobile phones from the mid-2000s, offering users a balanced array of features designed for functionality and ease of use. Even though it's now a discontinued product, the Samsung Z550 serves as a nostalgic reminder of the evolution within the mobile phone industry, illustrating how far technology has come in creating today's smartphones.