The Roland Garros: A Revolutionary Feature Phone by Sagem
In 2008, Sagem released a device that changed the game in the world of feature phones – the Roland Garros. Named after the famous French Open tennis tournament, this device was a highly anticipated release due to its innovative features and sleek design.
Release and Specifications
The Roland Garros was announced in February 2008 and was officially released in April of the same year. Weighing in at just 81g and with a thickness of 10.9mm, it was one of the lightest and slimmest feature phones of its time.
It boasted a 1.3MP main camera, which was a significant improvement from the standard VGA cameras found on most feature phones at that time. However, it did not have a front-facing camera, which meant it couldn't take selfies or make video calls.
In terms of storage, the Roland Garros had a modest 13MB of internal memory that could be expanded using a microSD card. This was sufficient for storing contacts, messages, and even a few songs in its MP3 player. The phonebook could hold up to 20 dialed, received, and missed calls, making it convenient for users to keep track of their recent activity.
Network and Connectivity Features
The Roland Garros operated on the GSM network and had support for 2G bands – GSM 900, 1800, and 1900. It also had GPRS connectivity but lacked EDGE, which meant slower internet speeds compared to other feature phones at the time.
However, it did have Bluetooth capabilities, allowing users to transfer files and connect to compatible devices. Unfortunately, it did not have a 3.5mm jack, so users had to rely on the loudspeaker or use a proprietary USB connector for headphones.
Design and Other Features
The Roland Garros had a minimalist design, with a simple black exterior and a Mini-SIM card slot. Its 120 x 160 pixel TFT display could showcase 65K colors, making images and videos look vibrant and crisp.
In terms of other features, the Roland Garros had predictive text input, an organizer, and a voice memo function. It also had some pre-installed games to keep users entertained. However, it did not have Wi-Fi, positioning, or radio capabilities.
Battery Life and Availability
The Roland Garros was powered by a removable Li-Ion battery that provided up to 220 hours of standby time and three hours of talk time. While this may not seem impressive compared to modern-day smartphones, it was sufficient for a feature phone back then.
The phone was only available in black, adding to its sleek and elegant design. Unfortunately, it has been discontinued, and it is challenging to find one in use today as most users have moved on to newer and more advanced devices.
Final Thoughts
The Roland Garros may have been a revolutionary feature phone for its time, but it has since been surpassed by smartphones with more advanced capabilities. However, it will always hold a special place in history as one of the first feature phones to push the boundaries and offer users an enhanced mobile experience.
Sagem Roland Garros Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
GPRS
Yes
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2008, February. Released 2008, April
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
106.9 x 46.3 x 10.9 mm (4.21 x 1.82 x 0.43 in)
Weight
81 g (2.86 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
TFT, 65K colors
Size
Resolution
120 x 160 pixels, 4:3 ratio
Memory
Card slot
microSD (dedicated slot)
Phonebook
Yes
Call records
20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls
Internal
13MB
Main Camera
Single
1.3 MP
Video
No
Selfie camera
Other
No
Sound
Loudspeaker
Yes
Alert types
Vibration; Polyphonic ringtones
3.5mm jack
No
Comms
WLAN
No
Bluetooth
Yes
Positioning
No
Radio
No
USB
Proprietary
Features
Sensors
Messaging
SMS, MMS
Browser
WAP 2.0/xHTML
Games
Yes
Java
Yes, MIDP 2.0
Other
MP3 player
Predictive text input
Organizer
Voice memo