The EF71: A Feature-Loaded Phone from BenQ-Siemens
When the EF71 was released in May 2006, it quickly gained popularity for its sleek design, impressive features, and affordable price. This feature phone, manufactured by BenQ-Siemens, became a favorite among mobile phone users who wanted a device that offered both functionality and style.
Design and Body
Weighing only 100g and with 18.5mm thickness, the EF71 is a compact and lightweight phone that is easy to carry around. It has a classic candy bar design with a mini-SIM slot and comes in a shiny metallic color called "Stellar Aluminum". The phone also has a second external mono display and an OLED screen, which measures 2.2 inches and offers a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels.
Operating System and Memory
The EF71 runs on a feature phone operating system and has 24MB of internal storage. However, if you need more space for your photos, videos, or music, you can insert a microSD card into the dedicated slot provided by the phone. The device also has a phonebook that can store up to 500 contacts and has a photo call feature. Additionally, you can keep track of 100 dialed, received, and missed calls.
Camera and Sound
This phone is equipped with a 2-megapixel camera, allowing you to capture your favorite moments with just a click. You can also record videos using this camera. However, the EF71 does not have a selfie camera. When it comes to sound, this phone has a 3D surround sound feature with a 10-band equalizer, making your music experience more enjoyable. It also comes with a loudspeaker and allows you to download polyphonic and MP3 ringtones.
Connectivity and Features
The EF71 has a range of connectivity options, including Bluetooth for sharing files with other devices. However, it does not support WLAN, positioning, or radio. It also has a proprietary USB port for charging and data transfer. This phone comes with several features such as a photo editor, stopwatch, organizer, and predictive text input. You can also browse the internet using WAP 2.0/xHTML or HTML browsers and download games and apps.
Battery and Other Specifications
Powering this device is a removable Li-Ion 750 mAh battery that offers up to 225 hours of standby time and up to 3 hours of talk time. The EF71 does not have a 3.5mm audio jack but allows you to play MP3/AAC/WMA files. It also has sensors for messaging, including SMS, EMS, and MMS. Additionally, it has Java support and a photo call feature in the phonebook.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the EF71 from BenQ-Siemens proved to be a great buy for individuals looking for an affordable phone with impressive features. Its compact design, decent camera, and range of connectivity options made it an ideal choice for many users. Although it may have been discontinued, the EF71 left a lasting impression in the market and remains a beloved device among those who owned one.
BenQ-Siemens EF71 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
GPRS
Class 10
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2006, May
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
90 x 47 x 18.5 mm (3.54 x 1.85 x 0.73 in)
Weight
100 g (3.53 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
TFT, 256K colors
Size
2.2 inches, 34 x 45 mm, 15.2 cm2 (~36.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution
176 x 220 pixels (~128 ppi density)
Other
Second external mono display, OLED (128 x 64 pixels)
Memory
Card slot
microSD (dedicated slot)
Phonebook
500 x 20 fields, Photo call
Call records
100 dialed, 100 received, 100 missed calls
Internal
24MB
Main Camera
Single
2 MP
Video
Yes
Selfie camera
Other
No
Sound
Loudspeaker
No
Alert types
Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones
3.5mm jack
No
Other
3D surround sound, 10-band
equalizer
Comms
WLAN
No
Bluetooth
Yes
Positioning
No
Radio
No
USB
Proprietary
Features
Sensors
Messaging
SMS, EMS, MMS
Browser
WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML
Games
Yes + downloadable
Java
Yes, MIDP 2.0
Other
MP3/AAC/WMA player
Photo editor
Predictive text input
Voice memo
Stopwatch
Organizer