In the early 2000s, the demand for smartphones was on the rise and mobile companies were competing to release the latest and most advanced devices. One such device was the BenQ P31, which was released in the first quarter of 2004.
Revolutionary Features at the Time of Release
The BenQ P31 was an impressive device that set new standards for smartphones at the time. It ran on the Symbian 7.0 operating system and had a unique UIQ v2.1 user interface. The device was relatively lightweight, weighing only 150g with a thickness of 17mm.
Storage and Network Capabilities
One of the standout features of the BenQ P31 was its storage options. It had an SD/MMC slot, allowing users to expand its storage capacity. This was a significant advantage as most smartphones at the time had limited built-in storage. In terms of network capabilities, the device had GSM technology and supported 2G bands of 900/1800/1900. However, it did not have EDGE technology.
Launch and Discontinuation
The BenQ P31 was announced in the first quarter of 2004 and was met with excitement from the public. However, it was later discontinued, making it a rare device to come across today. Despite this, it still holds a special place in the history of smartphones for its innovative features and capabilities.
Advanced Display and Platform
The BenQ P31 had a TFT resistive touchscreen with 65K colors, making it one of the few devices to have a touch display at the time. It also featured a 208 x 320-pixel resolution and the ability to download wallpapers and pictures. On the platform front, it ran on the Symbian 7.0 operating system and had a TI OMAP V1030 chipset with a 144 MHz CPU.
Camera and Other Features
The BenQ P31 had a 1.3 MP single camera, which was quite impressive for a device of its time. It also had the ability to capture videos, unlike many other smartphones at the time. Other notable features included a handwriting recognition function and an iTap feature for easier typing.
Battery Life and Connectivity Options
The BenQ P31 had a removable Li-Ion battery that had a standby time of up to 120 hours and a talk time of up to 5 hours. In terms of connectivity options, it did not have WLAN or Bluetooth 1.1. However, it did have an infrared port and a proprietary USB port for data transfer.
A Device Ahead of Its Time
In conclusion, the BenQ P31 may have been discontinued long ago, but it remains a device ahead of its time. Its advanced features and capabilities paved the way for future smartphone developments and continue to be appreciated by technology enthusiasts today.
