Get to Know Motorola's C257: The Feature Phone that Revolutionized Communication in 2005
Introduction
Released in the third quarter of 2005, the C257 was a game-changing device for its time and set the bar for feature phones. Manufactured by renowned tech company Motorola, this device went on to become a fan-favorite due to its compact design, efficient features, and impressive battery life. Let's take a closer look at the specs of this device and see what made it stand out from the crowd.
A Look at the Device
Dimension: Weighing only 91g and being 14.9mm thick, the C257 was a lightweight and slim device, making it easy to handle and carry around.
Operating System: It was considered a feature phone as it did not have a smartphone OS but had several features such as downloadable wallpapers and screensavers.
Storage: While the device only had 1MB of internal storage, it was considered sufficient for storing basic files such as contacts and messages. Unfortunately, it did not have a card slot, limiting its storage capacity.
Network: The C257 operated on GSM technology and had 2G bands of GSM 900/1800 and GSM 850/1900 for T250a model.
Connectivity: As with most feature phones of its time, the C257 did not support GPRS or EDGE, meaning internet connectivity was limited.
Launch Details
Announcement: The C257 was announced in 2005, and it took the market by storm.
Status: This device was discontinued, but its impact and popularity lasted for years.
Body and Display
Dimension: The C257 measured 109.9 x 49.9 x 14.9 mm, with a volume of 74 cc.
Weight: This device was a mere 91g, making it one of the lightest phones of its time.
SIM: It used a mini-SIM.
Display: The C257 had a TFT display with 65K colors, providing clear and vibrant visuals.
Resolution: The screen size was small at 128 x 160 pixels, but its resolution was suitable for basic phone functions such as texting and calling.
Memory and Camera
Storage: The C257 had an internal storage capacity of 1MB, but it did not have a card slot for expandable space.
Phonebook: It could store up to 100 entries in its phonebook.
Call Records: The device could store 10 dialed, 10 received, and 10 missed calls.
Camera: Unlike modern phones, the C257 did not come with a camera; it was purely a communication device.
Sound and Communication
Loudspeaker: The C257 had a loudspeaker, making it convenient for hands-free calls.
Alert Types: It supported vibration and downloadable polyphonic ringtones, giving users the option to customize their device's sound notifications.
3.5mm Jack: Unfortunately, the C257 did not have a 3.5mm jack, meaning users could not plug in earphones or headphones.
Connectivity: This device did not have features like WLAN, Bluetooth, or positioning, limiting its connectivity options.
Features and Battery
Features: Some of the additional features of the C257 included iTap, which provided word prediction while typing messages, an organizer with a stopwatch, and pre-installed games.
Battery: The C257 was powered by a removable Li-Ion 820 mAh battery, providing impressive standby time of up to 250 hours and talk time of up to 7 hours and 30 minutes.
Conclusion
The C257, with its sleek design and efficient features, carved a special place in the hearts of users worldwide. Despite being discontinued over a decade ago, it will always be remembered as a device that molded the technology we have today. With impressive battery life, a compact design, and basic functions that fulfilled the needs of users at the time, the C257 was truly a revolutionary device by Motorola.
Motorola C257 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800 , GSM 850 / 1900 - T250a
GPRS
Class 8
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2005, Q3
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
109.9 x 49.9 x 14.9 mm, 74 cc (4.33 x 1.96 x 0.59 in)