A Disappointing Release: The Chea 218's Cancellation
In 2003, the tech world was buzzing with anticipation for the release of a new device from Chea - the 218. Hopes were high for this feature phone, but unfortunately, it never saw the light of day. Despite its early announcement and promises of cutting-edge features, the Chea 218's release date was ultimately cancelled.
Device Specifications
The Chea 218 boasted a lightweight design, weighing only 74g and with a thickness of just 20mm. It was set to be one of the slimmest phones on the market at the time. However, its dimensions of 85 x 45 x 20 mm (3.35 x 1.77 x 0.79 in) were fairly standard for a feature phone. The device was also meant to come with no expandable storage options, which was a drawback for users who needed more space for their files and data.
Network Compatibility
The Chea 218 was designed to support GSM technology, specifically the 2G bands of GSM 900 and 1800. It had GPRS capabilities, but unfortunately, no EDGE support. While these specifications may have been decent at the time of its planned release, they would have quickly become outdated as technology continued to advance.
Features and Capabilities
The Chea 218 was advertised as having a TFT display with 65K colors. It was also rumored to have an external FSTN monochrome display for quick access to notifications and alerts. However, the device's resolution of 128 x 160 pixels was relatively low and would not have provided users with a high-quality viewing experience.
One of the biggest disadvantages of the Chea 218 was its lack of a card slot for expandable storage. This meant that users would have been limited in what they could store on the device and may have had to resort to constantly deleting files to make space. Additionally, the phone only had a basic 150-entry phonebook, which would not have been practical for users who needed to store a large number of contacts.
Entertainment and Communication
The Chea 218 was set to come with a few basic games, but no other entertainment features. It would have had limited messaging capabilities with only the ability to send SMS and MMS messages. Internet access would have also been restricted to WAP 1.2.1, an outdated browser by modern standards.
Battery Life
The Chea 218's battery life was expected to be fairly mediocre, with a stand-by time of up to 200 hours and only 2 hours of talk time. This would have been a disadvantage for users who needed their phone to last throughout the day without constant charging.
The End Result: Cancellation
Ultimately, the Chea 218's specifications and capabilities were underwhelming compared to other feature phones on the market at the time. Its release date was scheduled for Q3 of 2003, but it was soon cancelled due to low demand and potential competition from newer devices with better features. The Chea 218 may have been a disappointment, but it serves as a reminder of how far technology has come since then.
