The Rise and Fall of BenQ M7: A Feature Phone That Never Made it to the Shelves
In 2007, BenQ, a Taiwanese multinational company, announced its latest addition to the feature phone market - the M7. With its sleek design and impressive features, the M7 had the potential to be a game changer for BenQ in the mobile industry.
About the Device
The M7 was set to be a lightweight device, weighing only 93g with a thickness of 16.8mm. It boasted a considerable storage capacity of 50MB, with an option to expand it through a microSD slot. The M7 also supported both GSM and UMTS technology, making it compatible with various networks around the world.
Launch and Status
The M7 was announced in 2007, with a planned release in the fourth quarter of the same year. However, things did not go as planned for BenQ, and the device was eventually canceled. Despite its promising start, the M7 never made it to the shelves, leaving customers disappointed and curious about what could have been.
Design and Display
The M7 had a compact body measuring 105 x 47.5 x 16.8 mm, making it easy to hold and operate with one hand. The device featured a mini-SIM and a 2.0-inch TFT display with 256K colors. The screen had a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, providing users with a decent viewing experience.
Performance and Memory
Powering the M7 was Qualcomm's 6250A chipset, allowing for smooth performance and quick navigation through various applications. The device came with a microSD slot, enabling users to store their favorite songs and videos. The M7 also had a phonebook and call records feature, ensuring that users could keep track of their contacts and calls.
Camera and Sound
The M7 was equipped with a 2-megapixel main camera, capable of recording videos in 480p quality. It also had a VGA videocall camera for video chatting with friends and family. Additionally, the device had a loudspeaker and downloadable polyphonic ringtones for personalized sound notifications.
Connectivity and Features
One of the significant drawbacks of the M7 was its lack of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, which are now considered essential features in modern devices. However, it did support GPS and A-GPS for navigation purposes. The device also had a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser for internet browsing and supported Java for playing games.
Battery and Other Details
The M7 came with a removable Li-Ion 920 mAh battery, providing users with up to 400 hours of standby time and up to 5 hours of talk time. It also had a voice memo feature, making it easy to record important notes on the go. The device was available in a charcoal color with crimson trim, giving it a sophisticated look.
The End of M7 and BenQ's Mobile Journey
The cancellation of the M7 marked the end of BenQ's attempt to make a mark in the mobile industry. The company faced financial difficulties, leading to the discontinuation of its smartphone venture. Despite this setback, BenQ continues to produce high-quality devices in other markets, such as computer monitors and projectors.
In conclusion, the BenQ M7 may not have made it to the shelves, but it remains an intriguing piece of mobile technology that could have been a success. It serves as a reminder of how unpredictable the tech world can be, with even the most promising devices sometimes failing to make an impact on the market.
