Unveiling Sony Ericsson S003 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Introduction to Sony Ericsson S003

The Sony Ericsson S003 is a feature phone released in the third quarter of 2010. Designed with a focus on photography and communication, this device encapsulated some of the standout features of mobile technology at the time. As part of the Sony Ericsson brand, S003 combined Sony’s expertise in digital imaging and Ericsson’s proficiency in providing reliable telecommunications solutions.

Design and Build

The physical design of the Sony Ericsson S003 is quite unique, measuring 118 x 52 x 17.6 mm and weighing 154 grams. The device houses a mini-SIM slot and comes with a robust build, typical of feature phones during this period. It is available in a vibrant pink color that makes it pop out among other devices in the same category.

Display Features

The S003 boasts a TFT display capable of showcasing 26 million colors, on its 3.2 inches screen. The screen resolution is an impressive 480 x 854 pixels, providing clear and vivid visualization, which was a strong selling point back in 2010. This resolution gives it a pixel density of approximately 306 PPI, offering a decent viewing experience for photos and videos.

Camera Capabilities

One of the standout features of the S003 is its camera. Rear camera sports a 12 MP sensor equipped with autofocus and dual-LED flash, setting new standards for mobile photography at the time. It offers decent video recording capabilities, although specific details about the video resolution remain unspecified. The front camera feature is less prominent, fitting the design norms for feature phones.

Operating System and Processor

Running on a Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon S1 chipset, the S003 is powered by a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU and Adreno 200 GPU. It operates on a feature phone platform, which, while lacking the sophistication of modern smartphone OSs like Android and iOS, provides a straightforward and reliable user experience.

Memory and Storage

The S003 comes with 350 MB of internal storage, which can be expanded using a microSDHC card. The phone can store up to 1000 contacts with photo call capability, and also keeps call records. This storage capacity was standard for feature phones in 2010, though it required additional memory cards for media storage.

Connectivity Options

In terms of connectivity, the S003 does not disappoint. It supports 2G and 3G technologies with GSM and CDMA capabilities, respectively. The phone offers Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless audio transmission, and a microUSB 2.0 port for wired connections. However, it lacks WiFi functionality, which was only becoming standard around that time, but it compensates with GPS support and stereo FM radio capabilities.

Battery Life

The device is fueled by a removable Li-Po 870 mAh battery, offering up to 260 hours of standby time and approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes of talk time. Given the energy-efficient hardware of the device, this battery life was competitive for devices released in that era.

Additional Features

Additional features include an accelerometer sensor, support for SMS, MMS, email, and push email. The device is equipped with a WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML browser, and Java-based games, which were common in feature phones of that period. The omission of a 3.5mm audio jack might feel restrictive, yet consistent with its feature-focused design.

Market Impact and Conclusion

The Sony Ericsson S003, priced around 160 EUR at launch, represented a blend of functionality and style, catering to consumers looking for a reliable phone with superior camera functionality. It has been discontinued, but its legacy within the feature phone segment underscores an era where basic digital connectivity and impressive photographical capabilities were key selling points.