Sharp GX33 Full Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Revealed

Design and Build

The Sharp GX33 features a compact and classic candy bar design that was quite common during the time of its release in 2007. The dimensions of the device are 93 x 44.6 x 21 mm, making it quite pocket-friendly and easy to hold. The phone weighs around 87 grams, which adds to its portability and comfort during usage. The sleek, black color adds a touch of sophistication to its overall appearance. It supports a Mini-SIM card, following the standard of the era.

Display

The display of the Sharp GX33 consists of a 1.9-inch TFT screen capable of displaying 256K colors. Though relatively small by today’s standards, the display size was typical for feature phones of the time. The screen has a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels, providing a pixel density of approximately 148 ppi. While it might not deliver the high-definition experience of modern devices, it was suitable for basic phone functionalities and casual viewing.

Camera

The Sharp GX33 comes with a VGA camera offering 0.3MP resolution. At the time of its release, this camera could capture basic photos and simple video footage with SQCIF resolution. While it doesn’t support the advanced photography features found in modern smartphones, the GX33's camera is sufficient for capturing spontaneous and casual shots. It's a useful feature for users who wanted some photographic capability in their device.

Battery

Equipped with a removable Li-Ion battery, the Sharp GX33 can offer up to 250 hours in stand-by mode and up to 3 hours and 30 minutes of talk time. Its 930mAh capacity was ample for a device designed primarily for calls and basic messaging services, ensuring users stayed connected throughout the day without frequent charging. The removable nature of the battery allowed for easy replacements, a boon for prolonging the device’s life span.

Connectivity

The phone provides basic connectivity features typical of the era. It supports GSM technology, and operates on GSM 900, 1800, and 1900 bands, making it globally usable wherever GSM networks are available. For internet connectivity, the Sharp GX33 supports GPRS Class 10, although it does not support EDGE. Bluetooth 2.0 is available for local wireless data transfer, but the device lacks Wi-Fi capability. It also features USB 2.0 connectivity for direct data transfer with a PC.

Storage and Memory

The Sharp GX33 includes limited internal storage with a capacity of 9MB. Unfortunately, there is no card slot available for expandable storage. Contacts and call records are stored within the device, supporting up to 500 entries in the phonebook and logs for 10 dialed, 10 received, and 10 missed calls. Despite its limited storage, this feature phone caters adequately to users who primarily use their phone for calling and texting.

Software and Features

As a feature phone, the Sharp GX33 runs a basic operating system that supports essential functionalities. Users can send SMS, EMS, MMS, and email, which were considered essential communication methods at its time. The device has a WAP 1.2.1 browser for limited web browsing capabilities and supports Java MIDP 2.0, allowing for some light applications and downloadable games to be installed. Users enjoyed vibration alerts along with downloadable polyphonic ringtones as customization features.

Sound

Sound options on the Sharp GX33 include vibration alerts and polyphonic ringtones that can be downloaded or composed by the user. The device lacks a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, which can be a limitation for users wishing to enjoy music or audio without using Bluetooth-compatible devices.

Market Position and Reception

Released in the third quarter of 2007, the Sharp GX33 was designed to be an affordable and reliable device in the market of feature phones. Its discontinuation suggests it served its purpose during its lifespan, providing basic functionality without the complexities and higher costs associated with the burgeoning smartphone market of the era. Its global network capability offered connectivity across various regions without being tied to a specific carrier, making it appealing to international travelers.

Conclusion

The Sharp GX33 represents a specific era in mobile phone design, marked by simplicity and reliability for day-to-day communication. Although it may seem limited compared to modern smartphones, at its time, the GX33 catered well to users seeking a simple and efficient communication device. Its robust build, essential features, and ease of use continue to tell the story of an industry on the brink of the smartphone revolution.