Siemens S65 The Comprehensive Guide to Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of Siemens S65

The Siemens S65 was announced in March 2004 and quickly became known for its robust features and sleek design. As a feature phone, it offered a blend of basic telephony functions and a few advanced features that were cutting-edge for its time. Siemens, a known player in the telecommunications industry, ensured that the S65 was geared to appeal to business users and mobile enthusiasts of that era.

Design and Build

The Siemens S65 had dimensions of 109 x 48 x 18 mm and weighed approximately 98 grams, making it compact and lightweight. Its construction was sturdy, and the design exuded a modern, professional look, predominantly in Steel Black color. The device housed a Mini-SIM card and boasted an elegant form factor that was comfortable to hold and use.

Display

The phone featured a 2.1-inch TFT display with 65K colors, offering a resolution of 132 x 176 pixels. The screen's size might seem small by today's standards, but it provided enough clarity for handling calls, messages, and limited multimedia functions. With a screen-to-body ratio of about 26.1%, the display was efficient in its use of space.

Camera Capabilities

The Siemens S65 was equipped with a 1.3 MP main camera. Though modest, it allowed users to capture basic photos and videos, which was a significant feature at the time. The absence of a secondary camera highlights its focus as a business tool rather than a multimedia device.

Network and Connectivity

Supporting GSM 900, 1800, and 1900 bands, the S65 was capable of global roaming. It offered GPRS Class 10 for data transmission but lacked EDGE technology. Bluetooth 1.2 and Infrared were available for local wireless connectivity, while the device also supported a proprietary USB interface for wired connections. However, it didn't support WLAN, GPS, or Radio features.

Memory and Storage

The internal storage was limited to 11MB, which was typical for phones during this period. It included an expandable memory option via an RS-MMC slot, with a 32 MB card included, allowing some flexibility for storing contacts, messages, and limited multimedia content. The phonebook could accommodate 1000 entries with 20 fields each, providing robust storage for business users.

Battery Life

The Siemens S65 was powered by a removable 750 mAh Li-Ion battery (EBA-660), offering a standby time of up to 250 hours and talk time of up to 5 hours. This performance was satisfactory for a feature phone, ensuring that users could rely on it for extended periods without frequent recharging.

Operating System and Features

Being a feature phone, the S65 did not run on a complex operating system like today's smartphones. Nevertheless, it supported SMS, EMS, MMS, email, and instant messaging, catering to both personal and business communication needs. The WAP 2.0/xHTML browser allowed basic web browsing. Additionally, the phone supported Java MIDP 2.0, enabling users to download and play games or other Java-based applications.

Sound and Alerts

The device came with a loudspeaker and supported vibration alerts and downloadable polyphonic ringtones. It lacked a 3.5mm audio jack, which limited its use as a music player but aligned with its focus on business utility over multimedia capabilities.

Conclusion

The Siemens S65 represented a notable step forward in mobile phone technology in 2004. While its features may seem basic now, it was a significant device for its time, offering business-friendly features, a compact design, and sufficient performance for everyday communication needs. As mobile technology has evolved rapidly, the S65 stands as a reminder of the early days of mobile innovation.