The Sagem MC 850: A Classic Black and White Feature Phone
The year was 1998, and mobile phones were becoming increasingly popular. The Sagem MC 850, also known as the MC 850 GSM, was one of the many devices bursting onto the scene. With its classic black and white display and simple design, it quickly became a favorite among users. Let's take a closer look at this iconic feature phone.
Features and Specifications
The MC 850 was released by French telecommunications company Sagem in 1998. It was a basic feature phone with a monochrome graphic display that could only show 3 lines of 12 characters each. The icons on the screen were fixed and there were no softkeys to navigate the menu.
In terms of size, the device was relatively compact, measuring 132 x 50 x 21 mm (5.20 x 1.97 x 0.83 in) and weighing 137 g (4.83 oz). It had a mini-SIM card slot, which was a standard at the time. This meant users could easily switch their SIM cards to use the phone with different carriers.
However, one drawback of the MC 850 was that it did not have a card slot for additional storage. This meant users were limited to the 100 contacts that could be stored in the phonebook and had no way to save extra photos or music.
Connectivity and Network
As a GSM phone, the MC 850 was compatible with 2G networks and supported GSM 900 and 1800 bands. However, it did not have features like GPRS or EDGE, which meant internet connectivity was limited.
Battery Life
The MC 850 was powered by a removable Li-Ion battery that could provide up to 5 hours of talk time and up to 140 hours of standby time. For users on the go, this was a decent amount of battery life and allowed for prolonged use without worrying about charging.
Other Features
The MC 850 may have been a basic feature phone, but it did come with some additional features. It had a built-in clock and alarm, as well as a calculator and currency converter. These tools were useful for everyday tasks and made the phone more than just a device for making calls and sending texts.
The phone also had predictive text input, which was a game-changer at the time. This feature allowed users to type out words using only the number pad and made texting much faster and easier.
Discontinuation
Despite its popularity, the MC 850 was eventually discontinued by Sagem. As technology advanced and smartphones took over the market, feature phones like the MC 850 became obsolete. However, it remains a classic reminder of the early days of mobile phones.
In Conclusion
The Sagem MC 850 may not have been the most advanced phone of its time, but it definitely left a mark in the world of mobile technology. Its simple design and basic features were enough to win over many users, and it will forever be remembered as a classic black and white feature phone.
