Price and specifications of Samsung Z560 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview of Samsung Z560

The Samsung Z560, released in February 2006, represents a bygone era of mobile phones where features such as camera quality, battery life, and storage capacity defined the phone's appeal. As a feature phone, the Z560 was aimed at users who desired basic functionalities alongside some advanced multimedia capabilities.

Network Capabilities

The Samsung Z560 is equipped with GSM/HSPA technology, supporting 2G bands GSM 900, 1800, and 1900, alongside a 3G band HSDPA 2100. With a speed capacity of HSPA 1.8 Mbps, the device provided moderate mobile internet browsing capabilities which, during its time, were considered relatively advanced.

Design and Build

The Samsung Z560 features compact dimensions of 97.3 x 51.3 x 16 mm and weighs in at 94 g. This makes it a lightweight device catered to people who valued portability. Designed with a clamshell body, the Z560 is equipped with a Mini-SIM, which was the standard at the time.

Display Specifications

One of the highlight features of the Samsung Z560 is its 2.3-inch TFT display with 256K colors. Despite its small screen size of approximately 16.4 cm², its resolution of 240 x 320 pixels offers decent clarity with a pixel density of around 174 ppi. The display format, with a 4:3 ratio, reflects the design preferences prevalent in mid-2000s devices.

Camera Features

At a time when mobile photography was still nascent, the Samsung Z560’s 2 MP autofocus main camera provided users with practical photography solutions, capturing essential moments in QCIF video format. A VGA front-facing camera enabled basic video calls, showcasing Samsung’s focus on emerging communication technologies in 2006.

Storage Options

With an internal storage capacity of 20MB, the Samsung Z560 may seem limited by today’s standards. However, it was sufficient for housing contacts and essential data. The inclusion of a microSD card slot provided flexibility, allowing users to expand their storage for multimedia content, a considerable advantage at the time.

Battery Life

Powering the Samsung Z560 is a removable Li-Ion 900 mAh battery, offering a standby time of up to 320 hours and a talk time of approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes. This battery life was competitive and practical, providing users with a reliable performance suitable for their everyday needs.

Communication and Connectivity

The Samsung Z560 lacked WLAN capabilities, but the presence of Bluetooth 1.2 with A2DP allowed users to wirelessly connect with other devices for file transfers and audio streaming. However, the device did not feature positioning or radio capabilities. The proprietary USB connection facilitated data transfers between the phone and other systems.

Sound and Alerts

Equipped with stereo speakers, the Samsung Z560 offered quality sound output for its time. The device supported downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones, enhancing user experience with various alert options. However, it lacked a 3.5mm audio jack, which limited its usage with standard headphones.

Additional Features

In terms of messaging, the Samsung Z560 supported SMS, EMS, MMS, and Email, allowing comprehensive communication options. The WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML browser provided fundamental internet browsing functionalities. Featuring Java MIDP 2.0, the device supported a variety of Java-based applications and games, appealing to gaming enthusiasts of the period.

Market Placement and Legacy

Upon its launch, the Samsung Z560 was positioned as a mid-range phone and gained appreciation for integrating multimedia features with standard phone operations. Its release reflected Samsung’s strategy to cater to consumers transitioning from basic phones to devices with enhanced functionalities.

The Samsung Z560 played a role in shaping mobile phone technology, heralding an era of innovation that would eventually lead to smartphones. Its design and feature set offer insights into the evolving consumer demands and technological advancements of its time.

Conclusion

Although the Samsung Z560 has been discontinued and might appear outdated by contemporary standards, it remains a testament to the early days of mobile phone development. The device signifies a period where foundational technologies in mobile communication were emerging, paving the way for the sophisticated smartphone experiences we enjoy today.