Released in 2004 and discontinued shortly after, the A500 was a revolutionary device from technology giant Panasonic. At the time, it was considered a top-of-the-line feature phone, boasting impressive specifications and features. Let's take a closer look at this iconic device.
The Basics
The A500 was a lightweight and compact phone, weighing only 89g and measuring 19mm in thickness. Despite its small size, it had a sturdy build and was designed to withstand everyday wear and tear. It also had a mini-SIM card slot, which was the standard at the time.
Display and Memory
The A500 featured a TFT display with 65K colors, which were vibrant and clear for its time. Its screen size was not explicitly mentioned, but it had a resolution of 128 x 128 pixels and a 1:1 aspect ratio. Users could personalize their devices by setting wallpapers and downloading themes. Additionally, the phone had no card slot for external memory, but it did have a decent phone book that could store up to 300 entries with photo call capability.
Network and Connectivity
Being a feature phone, the A500 supported only 2G GSM technology and could operate on GSM 900/1800 bands. It also had GPRS Class 8, but there was no EDGE connectivity available. The phone did not have WiFi or Bluetooth capabilities, but users could connect to other devices using the infrared port. Surprisingly, the A500 did not have a radio, and it lacked a 3.5 mm headphone jack as well.
Messaging and Other Features
SMS and MMS were the primary messaging options on the A500, and it had WAP 2.0/xHTML for browsing the internet. The phone also came with one pre-installed game and supported downloadable Java games. It was equipped with a "one push auto open" feature, making it easier for users to access their phone's keypads. Predictive text input and an organizer were also included in the A500, along with changeable covers, allowing users to customize their device's appearance.
Battery and Other Specifications
The A500 had a removable Li-Ion battery that could last up to 210 hours on standby and 4 hours and 30 minutes of talk time. It was available in two colors: black and white.
In conclusion, the A500 was a classic feature phone and a beloved device from Panasonic. Even though it is now discontinued, it holds sentimental value for those who were fortunate enough to own one. Its compact size, decent features, and sturdy build made it a popular choice for many people during its time. And even though smartphones have taken over the market, the A500 will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who remember it fondly.
Panasonic A500 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800
GPRS
Class 8
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2004, Q2
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
84 x 47 x 19 mm, 68 cc (3.31 x 1.85 x 0.75 in)
Weight
89 g (3.14 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
TFT,65K colors
Size
Resolution
128 x 128 pixels, 1:1 ratio
Other
Wallpapers, themes
Downloadable logos
Memory
Card slot
No
Phonebook
300 entries, Photo call
Call records
10 dialed, 10 received, 10 missed calls
Camera
Other
No
Sound
Loudspeaker
No
Alert types
Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic ringtones
3.5mm jack
No
Comms
WLAN
No
Bluetooth
No
Positioning
No
Infrared port
Yes
Radio
No
USB
Features
Sensors
Messaging
SMS, MMS
Browser
WAP 2.0/xHTML
Games
1 + downloadable
Java
Yes
Other
One push auto open
Predictive text input
Organizer
Changeable covers