The Classic Alcatel OT-S853: A Blast From the Past
Imagine a world where smartphones were not yet a thing and feature phones were all the rage. This was exactly the case in 2005 when the Alcatel OT-S853 was released, making it a must-have device for everyone. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit this iconic phone.
First Impressions
The Alcatel OT-S853 may seem bulky and thick, weighing at 93g and with a thickness of 20mm, but back then it was considered compact and lightweight. Its classic black color also adds a touch of sophistication to its overall design.
The Basics
The phone runs on a feature phone operating system and has 10MB of built-in storage, along with a miniSD slot for extra storage. It uses a Mini-SIM card and is equipped with GSM technology, making it compatible with 2G bands of GSM 900, 1800, and 1900.
Display and Camera
The Alcatel OT-S853 sports a 2.0-inch TFT display with 256K colors, providing users with clear and vibrant visuals. Its screen-to-body ratio is approximately 26%, which was decent for its time. It also comes with downloadable wallpapers to customize the overall look of the phone.
For capturing memories, the phone features a single 1.3 MP camera that can also record videos. While this may be laughable compared to today’s smartphone cameras, it was a big deal back then.
Features and Usability
One of the unique features of the Alcatel OT-S853 is its 2.1 Stereo Surround Sound, equipped with two tweeters and one bass loudspeaker. This provided an enhanced audio experience for listening to music or making calls.
The phone also has downloadable ringtones and supports vibration alerts. It has a phonebook capacity of up to 800 entries, along with a photo call and videotones options. Users can also store up to 10 dialed, received, and missed calls in the call records.
In terms of communication, the phone supports SMS, MMS, email, and even instant messaging. It also has a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser for surfing the internet and playing games.
Other notable features include a stopwatch, an infrared port for transferring files between compatible devices, and even a temperature, currency, and measurement converter.
Battery Life
The Alcatel OT-S853 is powered by a removable Li-Ion 800 mAh battery, providing users with a standby time of up to 330 hours and a talk time of up to 8 hours. While this may not seem impressive, it was sufficient for a feature phone at that time.
Final Thoughts
The Alcatel OT-S853 may not have all the fancy features of today's smartphones, but it definitely marked a significant time in the evolution of mobile phones. It offered basic functions and some added extras, making it a popular device during its release.
Although it may seem outdated now, the Alcatel OT-S853 will always be remembered as a classic phone that paved the way for future advances in mobile technology.
Alcatel OT-S853 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
GPRS
Class 10
EDGE
Class 10
Launch
Announced
2005, Q1
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
103 x 47 x 20 mm (4.06 x 1.85 x 0.79 in)
Weight
93 g (3.28 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
TFT, 256K colors
Size
2.0 inches, 32 x 40 mm, 12.6 cm2 (~26.0% screen-to-body ratio)