Siemens ST55 The Complete Guide to Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of Siemens ST55

The Siemens ST55 was a feature phone released during the third quarter of 2003. It was part of the wave of mobile phones that transitioned from basic mobile functionalities to incorporating multimedia capabilities. The ST55, now discontinued, was emblematic of Siemens' efforts to combine aesthetics with functionality in the burgeoning mobile market of the early 2000s. Its compact design, basic digital camera, and vibrant display were some of the highlights that made it stand out among competitors of its time.

Design and Build

Weighing approximately 87 grams and measuring 99 x 47 x 22 mm, the Siemens ST55 was designed for easy portability and handling. Its sleek build and simple layout made it a desirable choice for users seeking a practical yet stylish device. The phone utilized a mini-SIM and featured dimensions that facilitated a comfortable grip, making it a user-friendly option in a rapidly innovating market.

Display

The ST55 came equipped with a TFT display boasting 65K colors, which was a notable feature at the time for providing bright and vivid visuals. Despite its relatively small screen size, the resolution of 120 x 160 pixels was adequate for displaying text and images with clarity. This facilitated text-based and multimedia messaging, including SMS, EMS, MMS, and Email, all part of the phone's capabilities.

Camera Functionality

One of the significant multimedia features of the Siemens ST55 was its VGA camera with a resolution of 0.3 Megapixels. Although primitive by today's standards, in 2003, having a camera in a mobile phone was a standout feature, allowing users to capture basic snapshots on the go. However, the phone lacked video recording capabilities, aligning with the typical limitations of early mobile cameras.

Network and Connectivity

Connectivity options for the Siemens ST55 were consistent with its classification as a feature phone. It supported GSM technology and operated on the 900/1800 MHz bands, which were standard frequencies for mobile communication at that time. The phone offered GPRS class 10 data service but did not support EDGE. Other modern connectivity options such as Bluetooth, WLAN, and radio were absent, reflecting the typical limitations of early 2000's feature phones.

Memory and Storage

The Siemens ST55 did not include a card slot for external memory expansion, which was not uncommon for phones from its era. It provided a phonebook capacity of up to 255 entries and logged call records for 10 dialed, 20 received, and 20 missed calls. With limited inbuilt memory, the device focused on essential functionalities rather than extensive data storage.

Audio and Multi-Media

The ST55 featured a loudspeaker and downloadable polyphonic ringtones, adding a customizable audio experience for users. However, it did not have a 3.5mm headphone jack, a common absence in early mobile phones. The phone included a few basic games like Wacko, Toggle, and Tetris powered by Java but did not support wider Java applications, limiting its multimedia capabilities compared to later mobile devices.

Battery Life

Equipped with a removable Li-Ion 750 mAh battery (EBA-595), the Siemens ST55 offered a standby time of up to 140 hours and a talk time of approximately 4.5 hours. These figures were considered decent at the time, reflecting the energy efficiency of early mobile computing components. The removable nature of the battery also provided convenience for user replacement and maintenance.

Additional Features

The device incorporated a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser, opening the doors to basic mobile web browsing, which was a novel feature that hinted at the online functionalities that future smartphones would perfect. Standard features like a clock, alarm, and messaging capabilities complemented the overall functionality of the Siemens ST55.

Conclusion

In summary, the Siemens ST55 stood out in the mobile market as a balanced feature phone combining essential communication, multimedia, and personalization options. While modern smartphones offer vastly superior capabilities, the ST55 represents a significant milestone in the evolution of mobile technology, marking the transition from simple mobile telecommunication devices to multifunctional portable gadgets.