Display:132 x 176 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~122 ppi density)
Camera:
Battery:
Released:Released 2006, January
The BenQ-Siemens S68: A Feature Phone Worth Remembering
BenQ-Siemens, a joint venture between the Japanese company BenQ and the German company Siemens, may not be as well-known as other phone brands, but it has produced some notable devices in its short existence. One such device is the S68, which was released in January 2006.
Compact and Lightweight Design
One of the standout features of the S68 is its compact and lightweight design. With a thickness of just 13.2mm and weighing only 78.5g, this feature phone was easy to carry around and fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. It may not have been the most high-tech or flashy device at the time, but its sleek and simple design made it appealing to many users.
Basic Storage and Network Options
The S68 featured 26MB of internal storage, which may seem minuscule compared to today's standards, but it was enough to store contacts, messages, and some media files. However, there was no option to expand the storage with a memory card. The device also ran on a GSM network with support for 2G bands like GSM 900, 1800, and 1900. It also had GPRS for data connectivity, but no EDGE support.
Barebones Features
As a feature phone, the S68 did not come with all the bells and whistles that we are used to seeing in modern smartphones. It had a basic 1.8-inch TFT display with 256K colors, which was considered impressive at the time. The camera was also nothing to write home about, as it had no camera at all. But what it lacked in features, it made up for in simplicity and reliability.
Battery Life and Other Features
One of the highlights of the S68 was its impressive battery life. With a 660 mAh battery, it could last up to 300 hours on standby and up to 5 hours of talk time. This made it ideal for people who needed a reliable phone for extended periods without access to a charger. As for other features, the S68 had a media player, a basic web browser, and a few built-in games.
A Device Ahead of Its Time
The S68 may have been released in 2006, but its design and features were ahead of its time. It had Bluetooth 1.2 with A2DP support, which was not common in feature phones at the time. It also had messaging options such as SMS, MMS, email, and instant messaging, as well as an organizer, a voice memo, and a stopwatch. The lack of a 3.5mm jack and position sensor may have been downsides for some users, but for the most part, the S68 was a versatile and dependable device.
Discontinued, but Not Forgotten
Despite its impressive specs and features, the S68 was discontinued after its release in 2006. However, it left a lasting impression on the feature phone market and has become somewhat of a collectible item for nostalgic tech enthusiasts. The brushed aluminum color option also added to its appeal and aesthetics, making it a device that was both functional and visually pleasing.
In conclusion...
While the BenQ-Siemens S68 may not have been a groundbreaking or revolutionary device, it served its purpose well as a reliable and easy-to-use feature phone. Its compact design, long battery life, and basic yet practical features made it a popular choice for many users. It may no longer be in production, but it will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who owned and used it.
BenQ-Siemens S68 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
GPRS
Class 10
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2006, January
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
107.5 x 44 x 13.2 mm, 58 cc (4.23 x 1.73 x 0.52 in)
Weight
78.5 g (2.75 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
TFT, 256K colors
Size
1.8 inches, 28 x 37 mm, 10.0 cm2 (~21.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution
132 x 176 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~122 ppi density)
Memory
Card slot
No
Phonebook
Yes
Call records
10 dialed, 10 received, 10 missed calls
Internal
26MB
Camera
Other
No
Sound
Loudspeaker
Yes
Alert types
Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic ringtones
3.5mm jack
No
Comms
WLAN
No
Bluetooth
1.2, A2DP
Positioning
No
Radio
No
USB
Proprietary
Features
Sensors
Messaging
SMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
Browser
WAP 2.0/xHTML
Games
Yes + downloadable
Java
Yes, MIDP 2.0
Other
Media player
Predictive text input
Stopwatch
Organizer
Voice memo