The Alcatel Crystal: A Feature Phone Ahead of Its Time
When it comes to mobile devices, we often associate advanced features and cutting-edge technology with expensive smartphones. But back in 2009, Alcatel released a device that challenged this notion - the Alcatel Crystal.
This feature phone may not have had all the bells and whistles of its smartphone counterparts, but it definitely stood out in the market with its unique design and impressive features.
The Release of Alcatel Crystal
The Alcatel Crystal was announced in October 2009 and was released in the fourth quarter of the same year. It quickly gained popularity among consumers due to its sleek and compact design, weighing only 85 grams with a thickness of 19.4mm.
Despite being a feature phone, the Alcatel Crystal boasted a storage capacity of 10MB, which could be expanded with a dedicated microSD slot. Additionally, it had a mini-SIM card slot, providing users with even more convenience.
Network and Operating System
The Alcatel Crystal operated on a GSM network and was compatible with 2G bands for both GSM 900/1800 and GSM 850/1900. It also supported GPRS Class 10, allowing for efficient data transfer.
As for its operating system, the Alcatel Crystal ran on a feature phone system, making it accessible to users who were not familiar with smartphones. This allowed for a simpler and more straightforward user experience.
Display and Camera
One of the standout features of the Alcatel Crystal was its display. Despite its compact size, it had a 1.8-inch TFT screen with 65K colors. It also featured an external hidden OLED display, giving users the ability to view notifications without having to open the phone.
In addition to its impressive display, the Alcatel Crystal also had a 1.3-megapixel main camera. While this may seem minimal compared to today's standards, it was quite advanced for a feature phone in 2009. It even had the ability to record videos.
Memory and Other Features
The Alcatel Crystal may have had only 10MB of internal storage, but it also had a dedicated microSD slot, allowing users to expand their storage capacity. It could store up to 800 contacts with photo call capability and up to 60 call records.
In terms of other features, the Alcatel Crystal had an MP3/AAC+ player, MP4/H.264 player, and organizer. It also had predictive text input, making texting and messaging easier for users.
Battery Life and Additional Information
The Alcatel Crystal was powered by a removable Li-Ion 720 mAh battery, which had a standby time of up to 400 hours and a talk time of up to 7 hours. It was available in two colors - white and blue.
In terms of SAR (Specific Absorption Rate), which measures the amount of radiofrequency energy absorbed by the body when using a device, the Alcatel Crystal had a head SAR value of 0.75W/kg and a body SAR value of 1.50W/kg.
In Conclusion
The Alcatel Crystal may not have been a smartphone, but it was definitely ahead of its time. With its unique design, impressive features, and affordable price point, it proved that you don't need to spend a fortune to have a reliable and functional mobile device.
Although it has been discontinued, the Alcatel Crystal will always be remembered as a game-changer in the world of feature phones. It showed us that simplicity can be sophisticated, and sometimes less is more.
