Siemens A35 Comprehensive Review of Specs Pricing & ProsCons

Overview of Siemens A35

The Siemens A35 was a notable entry into the mobile phone market during its time. Released in 2000, it exemplified the basic mobile phone functionalities that defined the late 1990s and early 2000s. With a focus on communication rather than multimedia capabilities or internet connectivity, the A35 offered users the essential features required for mobile communication.

Design and Build Quality

The Siemens A35 possessed a classic design reflective of mobile phones from its era. It had dimensions of 118 x 46 x 28 mm and weighed 122 grams, making it compact and moderately lightweight. The phone used a Mini-SIM, which was common during that time. Its body was designed to be durable and functional, with the absence of delicate components like touchscreens that can easily break.

Display Characteristics

The display on the Siemens A35 was alphanumeric, capable of showing 2 lines with 16 characters each. This type of display supported basic text communication, which was all that was necessary for SMS and the essential information display. Though minimal by today’s standards, the display was sufficient for its intended purpose of communication.

Battery Life

The phone was equipped with a removable NiMH 600 mAh battery, providing a standby time of up to 150 hours and talk time of up to 4 hours. This battery life was adequate for users who did not expect to use their phones extensively throughout the day, as the primary use was voice communication and occasional text messaging.

Network and Connectivity

Operating on GSM technology, the Siemens A35 supported 2G bands, specifically GSM 900/1800. It did not offer GPRS or EDGE, reflecting the era's focus on basic telephony rather than data services. As a result, features commonly associated with modern smartphones, such as internet browsing or email capabilities, were absent.

Sound and Alerts

The Siemens A35 featured monophonic ringtones and lacked a loudspeaker. It did not include a 3.5mm audio jack, which meant that any media consumption was limited and oriented exclusively toward basic notification sounds and alert types.

User Interface and Features

With simple messaging capabilities (SMS only), the Siemens A35 had a basic yet efficient user interface. The lack of an advanced browser or multimedia features streamlined the user experience toward core phone functions. The device supported 25 languages, catering to a broad, global audience.

Memory and Storage

Memory in the Siemens A35 was very limited. Call records were modest: the phone stored up to 10 dialed calls and 5 missed calls. The phonebook relied solely on the SIM card for contact storage, as the device itself did not have an internal memory for such data. The absence of a card slot further emphasized the minimalistic storage capabilities.

Limitations and Discontinuation

While the Siemens A35 was a solid entry for its time, it quickly became obsolete as mobile technology advanced to include smartphones with enormous improvements in connectivity, media capabilities, and processing power. The A35 did not support advanced features like cameras, Bluetooth, or wireless internet, which became essential in later years. Consequently, the model was discontinued as demand shifted towards more feature-rich devices.

Final Thoughts

The Siemens A35 represents a simpler time in mobile technology where the primary function was reliable communication. For users during its initial release, it provided a sufficient means of staying connected, albeit with limitations that were typical of that era. Today, the A35 serves as a reflection of how far mobile technology has evolved over the decades.