Sony Ericsson G700 Specs Prices & More Unveiled

Overview of the Sony Ericsson G700

The Sony Ericsson G700 is a smartphone that was announced in February 2008 and released later in May of the same year. Although it has been discontinued, this device is still remembered for its combination of innovative features and user-friendly design during its time. The G700 was part of a line of devices utilizing the Symbian Operating System with a UIQ interface, providing a unique blend of functionality suited for both personal and professional use.

Body and Build

The form factor of the G700 is typical of early smartphones, with dimensions of 106 x 49 x 13 mm and a lightweight feel at just 99 grams. This makes it compact enough to carry comfortably in a pocket or small purse. The phone utilizes a Mini-SIM card and features a resistive touchscreen interface. The exterior was presented in an elegant Silk Bronze color, catering to consumers looking for a stylish yet subtle device.

Display

The G700 offers a 2.4-inch TFT resistive touchscreen with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. Although it's quite modest by today’s standards, the display was clear and functional enough for browsing and navigating with its 256K color depth. The screen's size and resolution result in a pixel density of approximately 167 ppi, providing a crisp visual experience for general smartphone use.

Operating System and User Interface

This device runs on the Symbian OS with the UIQ interface, a blend that was rather popular during its time. The UIQ platform offered a touch interface which was considered innovative, providing users the ability to interact with their phones using a stylus or fingertips. Symbian OS’s capabilities gave birth to various apps that helped users with productivity and entertainment.

Performance and Memory

With internal storage of 160MB and expansion capability via the Memory Stick Micro (M2) slot up to 8 GB, the G700 offered reasonable storage options for its time. This was sufficient for basic use such as storing contacts, messages, and a limited selection of applications. The device’s processing details are unspecified, but it provided enough power to handle its features and functions efficiently.

Camera Capabilities

The Sony Ericsson G700 was equipped with a 3.15-megapixel main camera. This camera allowed for basic photography and video recording, featuring an LED flash to assist in low-light conditions. While not as advanced as modern smartphone cameras, it was suitably competitive during its launch, meeting the needs of users who required a handy point-and-shoot feature.

Audio and Connectivity

Providing a decent audio experience, the G700 includes support for MP3 and AAC ringtones, alongside a loudspeaker for hands-free calling. However, it lacked a 3.5mm headphone jack, which may require the use of adaptors for other audio accessories. Connectivity is ensured through Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP support, a USB 2.0 interface for data transfer, and stereo FM radio with RDS functionality.

Battery Life

Powering the G700 is a removable Li-Po 950 mAh battery (model BST-33). It promises up to 380 hours of standby time and up to 12 hours of talk time, which was quite satisfactory for users in 2008. The focus was on maximizing battery efficiency to cater to users who required longer periods between charges.

Networking Capabilities

The Sony Ericsson G700 supported both GSM and UMTS networks, offering 2G connectivity across GSM 900, 1800, and 1900 bands, and 3G connectivity via the UMTS 2100 band. This allowed for wider compatibility and ensured users could access reliable communication networks. The device provided data transfer speeds up to 384 kbps, which facilitated acceptable browsing and media sharing capabilities at the time.

User Experience and Additional Features

Aside from basic phone features, the G700 offered several functionalities that enhanced user experience. It included a capable browser supporting WAP 2.0/HTML with an Opera browser interface for seamless internet browsing. An RSS reader was included, enabling users to stay updated with news feeds and blogs. Customization was supported through downloadable themes and ringtones.

Legacy and Market Impact

The Sony Ericsson G700 was priced at approximately 80 euros, making it accessible to a broad segment of the market. Despite its discontinuation, it remains a notable device for how it balanced usability and innovative technology. It provided consumers with an early glimpse of smartphone capabilities blending touch screen interfaces with traditional telephony features.