When you think of smartphones, brands such as Apple and Samsung may come to mind. However, before the age of smartphones, there were feature phones like the T51 from BenQ. This small yet powerful device was announced in August 2007 but was later cancelled, leaving many wondering what could have been.
Design and Dimensions
The T51 was a compact and lightweight device, weighing only 85.5 grams and measuring 20.8mm in thickness. It had a durable body with dimensions of 86.4 x 45.3 x 20.8 mm, making it easy to fit into your pocket or bag. The phone also had a Mini-SIM card slot, which was the standard for devices at that time.
Display and Features
The T51 had a small 1.8 inch TFT display with 256K colors, which may seem tiny compared to the large screens we have on smartphones today. However, for its time, this display was decent and even had a second external OLED display for viewing notifications and important information. The phone also had a unique webcam function, allowing users to take pictures and videos.
Storage and Memory
Although the T51 was not a smartphone, it still had storage capabilities with 23MB of internal storage and a microSD card slot for additional memory. This was enough space to save contacts, messages, and a few photos. The phone also had a phonebook and could store records of 10 dialed, 10 received, and 10 missed calls.
Camera and Connectivity
The T51 came with a single 2MP camera, which was quite impressive for a feature phone. It could also record videos, adding to its list of features. In terms of connectivity, the T51 had GSM technology and supported 2G bands for communication. However, it did not have options for GPRS or EDGE like most phones at that time.
Battery Life and Other Features
The T51 was powered by a removable Li-Ion 750 mAh battery, which could provide up to 150 hours of standby time and 3 hours and 30 minutes of talk time. Along with its basic features such as SMS and MMS messaging, WAP browser, and FM radio, the phone also had fun features like games and a stopwatch. It even had predictive text input for easier typing.
The Cancelled Release
Sadly, despite its promising features, the T51 was cancelled before it could be released to the market. This means that the device never made it to shelves and was not available for purchase. The reasons behind this cancellation are unknown, but many believe it was due to competition from other feature phone brands.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the T51 may have been cancelled, but it still holds a special place in technological history as a reminder of how far we've come in terms of phone capabilities. While smartphones have become the norm, it's always interesting to look back at the phones that paved the way for what we have today. And the T51 from BenQ is definitely one of those devices.
