Siemens S55 Full Specs Pros & Cons and Pricing Unveiled

Design and Build Quality

The Siemens S55 is a testament to the early days of mobile phone design, with its compact and practical form factor. Measuring 101 x 42 x 18 mm and weighing just 85 grams, it was designed for easy handling and carrying. The materials used in its construction were robust, ensuring durability in daily usage. The device featured a monochrome display capable of rendering 256 colors and had a resolution of 101 x 80 pixels, signaling an era where color screens were becoming the norm, albeit still in their nascent stages.

Display Features

The CSTN display of the Siemens S55 was relatively small by today's standards but was suited to the needs of its time. It could display static images and icons with limited color depth. The screen was capable of displaying 7 lines of text, providing a basic but functional interface for reading messages and navigating the menus. Despite the limited resolution, the display was sufficient for the straightforward tasks the phone was designed for.

Network and Connectivity

The Siemens S55 supported GSM networks operating on 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz bands, making it a tri-band phone capable of international roaming. This feature was particularly advanced at the time, catering to business users who traveled frequently. Additionally, it supported GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Class 10 for basic data connectivity, although it lacked EDGE support. Bluetooth 1.1 and an infrared port were included, providing options for wireless connectivity and data transfer. However, Wi-Fi and GPS were not available.

Communication Capabilities

The Siemens S55 offered various communication features that were competitive in its era. It supported SMS, MMS, and email, allowing users to send multimedia messages and access emails on-the-go. The WAP 1.2.1 browser, while limited by today's standards, facilitated basic internet browsing. The phone also included a calendar, alarm clock, and calculator, making it a handy tool for organizing daily activities.

Memory and Storage

The device came with an internal storage capacity of 400 KB, which was standard for phones at the time. It supported a phonebook capacity of up to 500 entries, each capable of storing multiple fields and photo IDs. Although there was no option for expandable storage via card slots, the available memory sufficed for storing contacts, messages, and a limited number of ringtones and Java-based applications.

Sound and Alerts

Siemens S55 integrated polyphonic ringtone support, allowing users to download and use richer, multi-tone ringtones instead of the simple monophonic ringtones that were common previously. The phone did not feature a loudspeaker or a 3.5mm headphone jack, meaning music playback was not one of its designed strengths, aligning with its focus on communication-oriented functionalities.

Battery Performance

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 700 mAh battery (EBA-510), the Siemens S55 delivered impressive standby and talk times considering its hardware specifications. The phone could sustain up to 12 days of standby time and 6 hours of talk time. The battery’s performance was reflective of the less power-hungry hardware components, making it a reliable device for users seeking longevity.

User Interface and Features

The user interface of the Siemens S55 was intuitive and navigable, designed to accommodate users transitioning from more basic mobile phones. It featured customizable menus and shortcut functions, as well as pre-installed games that utilized Java technology for more complex applications than those possible on older phones. The inclusion of basic personal information management tools reflected its target as a business and daily-use device.

Release and Market Impact

The Siemens S55 was announced in 2002, a period when the competition among mobile phone manufacturers was intensifying with the advent of color screens and SMS becoming a dominant communication method. Siemens managed to carve a niche for the S55 by offering a compact, feature-rich device that appealed to both professional and personal users. Its tric-band capability, color screen, and support for MMS and email positioned it as a forward-thinking option in the early 2000s, contributing to Siemens’ reputation for innovation.

Concluding Thoughts

The Siemens S55 may now seem antiquated compared to the smartphones of today, but it is a significant milestone in the evolution of mobile devices. It reflects the technological advancements of its time, striving to balance multimedia capabilities with the core competency of reliable communication. With its durable build, essential communication features, and unique user experience, the S55 paved the way for more advanced mobile technologies that would eventually follow.