Toshiba G450 Full Specs Price & Performance Review

Overview of Toshiba G450

The Toshiba G450 is a unique and quirky device that stands out due to its unconventional design and feature set. Launched in January 2008, this device was discontinued after a while, but it left a lasting impression on those who encountered it. The G450 served multiple purposes: a mobile phone, an HSDPA USB modem, and a media player. This device is often remembered for its compact size, distinctive design, and specific utility rather than its raw performance as a mobile phone.

Design and Build

The dimensions of the Toshiba G450 are 98 x 36 x 16 mm, and it weighs just 57 grams. Its weight and size make it extremely portable and pocket-friendly. The design is avant-garde with a circular keypad that deviates from the traditional mobile phone design. Its small size makes it an ergonomic fit for any hand. Available in three colors - Black, Red, and White - the G450’s aesthetics were minimalistic and futuristic.

Display

The device featured a monochrome graphics display, which was quite limited by the standards of its time. The resolution was 96 x 39 pixels, which clearly indicates that the primary use of the screen was for basic text and number display. This suited the functionality it was designed for but meant that any rich multimedia display was out of the question.

Network and Connectivity

The G450 was a 3G-capable device that supported HSPA with speeds of 3.6 Mbps on HSDPA 2100 band. It also supported GSM bands 900/1800/1900 for 2G networks. However, the connectivity was somewhat limited – lacking Bluetooth, WLAN, or Radio functionalities. The device had a miniUSB port for wired connections, which facilitated its use as a USB modem.

Performance and Storage

The Toshiba G450 was equipped with a Qualcomm MSM6280 chipset and an ARM 9 CPU. While modest, this combination was adequate for the G450's light phone tasks and its modem functionality. With 160MB of internal storage and no expandable storage option, the device was limited in terms of holding data. Its role was never intended to be a primary data storage solution.

Battery Life

The device came with a removable Li-Ion 600 mAh battery. For the modest tasks it was built for, such as texting and calling, the battery life was decent. It offered up to 200 hours of standby time and approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes of talk time, which were reasonable figures considering the device’s intended use.

Features and Functionality

Even though the G450 did not have camera capability or advanced multimedia features, it did support SMS for messaging and came with basic games installed. The phone also had MP3 ringtones and polyphonic alert types. However, it lacked a loudspeaker, 3.5 mm audio jack, or any form of web browser or Java support.

Price and Market Positioning

At the time of its launch, the Toshiba G450 was priced at about 130 EUR. Its pricing was reflective of its unique design and multi-functional capability rather than cutting-edge technology or features. The G450 catered to a niche market, targeting users who valued its portability, modem functionality, and design novelty over traditional mobile phone capabilities.

Conclusion

The Toshiba G450 is a testament to the experimental phase in mobile technology where manufacturers were exploring multiple device functionalities in one compact form. While it might not have been a significant commercial success, its legacy is in its boundary-pushing design and ability to serve as both a communication device and a modem. Despite lacking many features we associate with modern phones, its charm lies in simplicity and unconventional design.