Price and specifications of Sendo M550 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Introduction to Sendo M550

The Sendo M550 is a classic mobile phone that was announced in the second quarter of 2003. As a feature phone, it was designed to offer basic telephony services along with some essential features that were common in the early 2000s. Despite its discontinuation, the Sendo M550 remains a memorable device for many technology enthusiasts who value simplicity and retro designs.

Design and Build

The device was known for its compact dimensions, measuring 82 x 45 x 20 mm and weighing just 77 grams. This made it extremely portable and easy to carry around. The phone used a Mini-SIM card, which was standard in most mobile phones of that era. Its small size was complemented by its simplistic and straightforward design, which appealed to users who preferred functionality over large display screens or complex features.

Display

The Sendo M550 featured a CSTN display capable of showing 4096 colors. The screen resolution was 128 x 128 pixels, maintaining a 1:1 aspect ratio. While modest by today's standards, this was quite sufficient for displaying simple graphics, text, and the device’s interface, given the phone's focused functionality.

Network and Connectivity

The phone operated on GSM technology, supporting 2G bands of GSM 900 and 1800. Though lacking in advanced connectivity options such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, the Sendo M550 came equipped with GPRS Class 8, enabling basic internet connectivity through WAP 1.2.1 browser for lightweight web services.

Memory and Storage

The Sendo M550 was designed with simplicity in mind, which is reflected in its memory features. It did not have a slot for external memory cards, but it provided sufficient internal memory to store up to 500 phonebook contacts. Call records could be maintained for the last 10 dialed, received, and missed calls, helping users to keep track of their communications effectively.

Battery Life

The phone was powered by a removable Li-Ion battery. It offered a standby time of 180 to 400 hours and a talk time ranging from 2 to 5 hours. This battery life was respectable, especially given the phone’s limited feature set and power demands. The removable nature of the battery also allowed users to replace it when necessary, extending the lifespan of the device.

Sound and Alerts

For audio notifications, the phone did not include a loudspeaker or a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, which was common in feature phones of that time. However, it supported vibration alerts and downloadable polyphonic ringtones, giving users some degree of customization for their call and message alerts.

Additional Features

The Sendo M550 was equipped with basic features such as SMS and EMS for messaging, an alarm clock, and several pre-installed games including Ten Pin, KombatClub, and Splat. Although it did not support Java applications, these games added an element of entertainment for users.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Sendo M550 was a product of its times, offering essential features wrapped in a compact and portable design. While lacking modern conveniences such as a camera, high-speed internet, or multimedia capabilities, it met the basic needs of communication with ease. Its focus on simplicity makes it an iconic representation of mobile technology in the early 2000s.