Sharp GX17 Comprehensive Review & Analysis

Introduction to Sharp GX17

The Sharp GX17 was introduced in the first quarter of 2005 as a budget-friendly, feature phone. While it may not stand up to the feature-rich smartphones of today, during its time, it offered functionalities that catered well to users looking for a simple and effective mobile communication device.

Design and Build

The Sharp GX17 featured a compact form factor with dimensions of 106 x 45.5 x 17.4 mm and had a weight of merely 85 grams, making it light and easy to handle. This phone utilized a Mini-SIM and was designed keeping portability in mind, fitting comfortably in the pocket. Its build was fairly robust for a feature phone, allowing users a reasonable degree of durability.

Display

The phone came with a 1.9-inch TFT display, showcasing 65K colors. The screen resolution was 120 x 160 pixels, which was quite standard during its time, though the quality cannot be compared to the high-definition displays of modern smartphones. It constituted about 23.2% of the screen-to-body ratio, a common characteristic among phones in the mid-2000s.

Network and Connectivity

The Sharp GX17 operated on GSM technology, supporting 2G bands such as GSM 900, 1800, and 1900, making it versatile enough for international use across those frequencies. Unfortunately, it did not support EDGE or any advanced network technologies. For connectivity, it came with Bluetooth 1.1 and a proprietary USB port, and surprisingly included an Infrared port, a feature useful for specific data transfers back then.

Camera

Equipped with a basic VGA camera, the Sharp GX17 allowed users to take pictures and also record videos. Although the 0.3 MP camera is primitive by today's standards, it served basic photographic purposes and was an appreciated feature for users who needed a simple device to capture moments on-the-go.

Memory and Storage

The device did not feature a card slot for expandable storage, which was a significant limitation considering the growing demands for storage by users. However, it offered a basic phonebook for contact storage and kept a call record log for 10 dialed, received, and missed calls.

Battery Life

The GX17 came with a removable Li-Ion battery of 900 mAh capacity. Despite the relatively small battery, the device leveraged the low power demand of its components, offering a stand-by time of up to 290 hours and a talk time of approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes. Its battery performance was considered adequate for the time, providing sufficient longevity for daily use.

Messaging and Applications

A significant aspect of the GX17 was its messaging capability, supporting SMS, MMS, and Email, thus catering to the essential communication needs of users. It came equipped with a WAP browser, which provided basic internet services. Moreover, the phone supported Java MIDP 2.0, which enabled users to download additional applications and games, enhancing the user experience despite the limited capabilities.

Sound and Multimedia

When it came to sound, the GX17 did not include a loudspeaker or a 3.5mm audio jack, but it supported downloadable polyphonic ringtones and had a composer for creating custom alert tones. This was a widespread feature at the time and gave users some ability to personalize their device’s alert sounds.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Sharp GX17 was a typical example of mid-2000s feature phones. While it may not have had the advanced functionalities that smartphones today boast, it offered basic communication tools and multimedia features that were sufficient for users looking for simplicity and reliability. Its compact design and functionality focused on core cellular capabilities rather than exhaustive multimedia experiences, and in a way, this simplicity further highlighted its importance during its era.