In the early 2000s, feature phones were all the rage. These devices were the perfect combination of style and function, providing basic calling and messaging capabilities along with some added features for entertainment and organization. One such device was the Panasonic G51, released in Q4 of 2003.
A Brief History and Overview
The Panasonic G51 was a product of the popular Japanese electronics brand, Panasonic. It was introduced to the market in 2003 and quickly gained popularity as a reliable and stylish feature phone. Its sleek and compact design, weighing only 74g and measuring 18mm thick, made it one of the lightest and slimmest phones of its time.
Design and Specifications
The G51 was available in three colors: silver, red, and blue. The G51e edition also included pink and gold options, while the G51m edition offered blue and silver. Its dimensions were 80 x 43 x 18 mm, with a SIM card slot for a Mini-SIM. The display was a CSTN screen, capable of displaying 4096 colors. It had a resolution of 128 x 96 pixels and a 4:3 ratio, with downloadable wallpapers to add a personal touch.
Unfortunately, the G51 did not come with a card slot for additional storage. This meant users had to rely on the limited internal memory for storing contacts and media files. It had a phonebook capacity of 255 entries and could store up to 20 dialed, 10 received, and 10 missed calls.
Features and Capabilities
The G51 may not have been packed with features like today's smartphones, but it had everything a user needed for basic communication and entertainment. It did not have Bluetooth or Wi-Fi capabilities, but it did offer SMS and EMS messaging, as well as WAP 1.2.1 browser for basic internet browsing.
The phone also featured predictive text input to make composing messages easier. It also had a few pre-installed games for entertainment on-the-go. However, one notable missing feature was the absence of Java support.
Battery Life
The G51 ran on a removable Li-Ion 780 mAh battery, which could last up to 200 hours on standby and up to 2.5 hours of talk time. This was considered decent for a feature phone at the time, providing users with enough power to stay connected throughout the day.
Discontinuation and Legacy
The Panasonic G51 was announced in Q4 of 2003 and was eventually discontinued after its release. Despite this, it has left a lasting impact on the feature phone market, being remembered as a reliable and stylish device in its time.
The G51 may not have had all the bells and whistles of today's smartphones, but it provided users with the essential features needed for smooth communication and basic entertainment. Its loyal fans still fondly remember its simplicity and practicality, making it a timeless feature phone from the early 2000s.
Panasonic G51 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
GPRS
Class 8 (G51 Only)
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2003, Q4
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
80 x 43 x 18 mm, 66 cc (3.15 x 1.69 x 0.71 in)
Weight
74 g (2.61 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
CSTN, 4096 colors
Size
Resolution
128 x 96 pixels, 4:3 ratio
Other
Downloadable wallpapers
Memory
Card slot
No
Phonebook
255
Call records
20 dialed, 10 received, 10 missed calls
Camera
Other
No
Sound
Loudspeaker
Yes
Alert types
Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic ringtones
3.5mm jack
No
Comms
WLAN
No
Bluetooth
No
Positioning
No
Radio
No
USB
Features
Sensors
Messaging
SMS, EMS
Browser
WAP 1.2.1
Games
Yes
Java
No
Other
Predictive text input
Organizer
Battery
Type
Removable Li-Ion 780 mAh battery
Stand-by
Up to 200 h
Talk time
Up to 2 h 30 min
Misc
Colors
Silver, Red, Blue (G51e:Pink,Gold. G51m:Blue,Silver)