The Unreleased Powerhouse: BenQ-Siemens E52
Back in 2007, the technology world was buzzing with the announcement of a new device from the popular brand BenQ-Siemens. The E52 was set to make its debut in the market as a feature phone, equipped with impressive features and specifications. However, to the dismay of tech enthusiasts, the release of this device was cancelled for unknown reasons. Let's take a closer look at what could have been and explore the potential behind the E52.
The Specs: A Small but Mighty Device
At first glance, the E52 may seem like just your average feature phone. But one look at its dimensions and you'll realize that it was designed to pack a punch in a small size. Weighing only 122g and with a thickness of 14.9mm, it was the definition of a compact device that could easily fit in your pocket or bag.
The phone boasted a modest 20MB of storage, but with the option to expand with a microSD slot, it had potential to store more data. It was powered by GSM technology, with 2G bands of GSM 900/1800/1900 and GPRS class 10. Sadly, it did not offer EDGE connectivity.
The Release That Never Came
In June 2007, the E52 was announced to the public, stirring excitement among consumers. However, soon after its announcement, the device was cancelled, leaving many people wondering what went wrong. It's still a mystery why BenQ-Siemens decided not to release this promising device to the market.
A Display and Camera Worth Mentioning
The E52 may have been a feature phone, but it still offered a decent display and camera. With a TFT screen and 256K colors, the 1.8-inch display offered a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels and had a screen-to-body ratio of 22.2%. As for the camera, it featured a 1.3 MP single lens, which was considered impressive for a feature phone at that time.
The device also included a microSD card slot, a phonebook with photo call capabilities, and records of up to 20 dialed, received, and missed calls. But what set it apart from other feature phones was its FM radio feature and a removable Li-Ion 920 mAh battery that promised up to 245 hours of standby time and 4 hours and 10 minutes of talk time.
Other Features That Would Have Made It Stand Out
In addition to its impressive specs, the E52 also had some interesting features that set it apart from other feature phones. It had a loudspeaker and alarm types such as vibration, downloadable polyphonic, and MP3 ringtones. It also had a 1.1 USB port and support for Bluetooth 1.2.
The E52 also offered a variety of messaging options including SMS, MMS, and email. It had a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser, Java support, and games. Other features included an AAC/MP3 player, predictive text input, voice memo, stopwatch, and organizational tools.
The Unanswered Questions
As mentioned earlier, the E52's cancellation remains a mystery to this day. Some speculate that it could have been due to budget constraints or poor market research on the demand for feature phones at that time. Others believe that it could have been a strategic move by the company, although no official statement was ever released.
A Glimpse Into the Past
The BenQ-Siemens E52 may have never made it to store shelves, but it was a device that caught the attention of many. Its impressive features and compact design were ahead of its time and could have been a strong contender in the market. Despite not being able to see the full potential of this device, it remains a glimpse into what could have been an incredible addition to the BenQ-Siemens family.
