The A257 Magnet: A Feature Phone Ahead of its Time
The A257 Magnet, released by Samsung in May 2009, was one of the top feature phones of its time. With its sleek design and impressive features, it quickly gained popularity among mobile phone users.
Dimensions and Storage
Weighing at 87.6g and with a thickness of 12mm, the A257 Magnet was the ideal size for a feature phone. It had 64MB of storage, making it ideal for storing essential contacts and taking pictures. However, one drawback was that it did not have a card slot to expand its storage capacity.
Network and Operating System
The A257 Magnet operated on a GSM network with 2G bands that covered GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 frequencies. It had Class 10 GPRS and EDGE technology, which provided users with a reliable internet connection.
As a feature phone, it did not have a full operating system but instead used a simple feature phone system. This made it easy to use and navigate, even for those who were new to mobile phones.
Display and Camera
The A257 Magnet had a 2.2 inch, TFT display with 65K colors, providing users with a clear and vibrant viewing experience. It also had a VGA camera, a common feature for feature phones at that time. However, it did not have video capabilities.
Communication and Connectivity
The A257 Magnet did not have WiFi or GPS capabilities, but it did have Bluetooth 2.0 and a 2.0 USB port for transferring data and connecting to other devices. Its QWERTY keyboard made it easy to send texts and emails, and it also had a built-in WAP 2.0 / xHTML browser for internet browsing.
Additional Features
The A257 Magnet had a variety of additional features, making it more than just a basic feature phone. It came with a currency converter, a voice memo option, and predictive text input. It also had an MP3/MP4 player, allowing users to listen to music and watch videos on the go.
In addition to these features, it also had access to popular messaging platforms like Windows Live, Yahoo!, and AOL, allowing users to stay connected with their friends and family.
Battery Life and More
The A257 Magnet had a removable Li-Ion 800 mAh battery, which provided users with up to 240 hours of standby time and up to 5 hours of talk time. It also had a black color option and met SAR regulations with a rating of 0.61 W/kg (head) and 0.72 W/kg (body).
Conclusion
With its affordable price of approximately 90 EUR, impressive features, and sleek design, the A257 Magnet was a popular choice among mobile phone users. Although it has been discontinued now, it will always be remembered as a feature phone that was ahead of its time.
