The year was 2001, and the technology world was buzzing with excitement for the latest and greatest releases. Among them was the Samsung A400, a feature phone from the renowned South Korean brand. With its sleek design and advanced features, the A400 quickly became an iconic device in the mobile phone market.
A Revolutionary Device
Released in Q4 of 2001, the Samsung A400 was a game-changer in the mobile phone industry. Its compact design, weighing only 80g and with a thickness of 20mm, made it one of the most portable phones of its time. This device was specifically designed for communication, with no external distractions such as games or camera features. This simplicity made it a popular choice among users who wanted a reliable and efficient tool for staying connected.
Network and Operating System
The Samsung A400 was a feature phone, meaning it had limited functions compared to today's smartphones. It operated on the GSM network, with 2G bands for GSM 900/1800. Mobile data was not available on this device, but it did have support for WAP 1.1, a basic web browsing service. The A400 ran on a feature phone operating system, which was sufficient for its intended purpose.
A Compact Display
Despite its small size, the Samsung A400 had an ample display. It sported a grayscale graphic screen with 4 shades, making it easy to read messages and navigate through the menu. The display was also dynamic, allowing for font size adjustment. With four-way navigation keys and softkeys, accessing different features on the A400 was straightforward and convenient.
Memory and Camera
Being a feature phone, the A400 did not have expandable storage options. It came with a phonebook that could hold up to 100 entries and had the capability to create 5 contact groups. The device also had space for call records, with a limit of 10 dialed, received, and missed calls. Another notable feature was the message templates, making it quicker to compose text messages.
Unlike most current phones, the Samsung A400 did not have a camera. This may seem unusual in today's world, but back in 2001, cameras on mobile phones were still a novelty.
Additional Features
The A400 had basic sound features, including vibration alerts and monophonic ringtones. It also came with an infrared port and USB connectivity options, allowing for file transfer between devices. Other features included a clock, alarm, predictive text input, organizer functions, and menu shortcuts for easy access.
All About the Battery
One of the essential things about any device is its battery life, and the Samsung A400 did not disappoint. It had a removable Li-Ion battery that provided a standby time of up to 70 hours and a talk time of 2.5 hours. These numbers may seem meager by today's standards, but they were impressive for a phone released in 2001.
The Legacy Lives On
The Samsung A400 may have been discontinued, but its legacy still lives on among mobile phone enthusiasts. Its compact design, efficient features, and reliable performance made it a beloved device during its time. The A400 paved the way for future developments in the mobile phone industry, setting the standard for what a feature phone should be.
Despite being over two decades old, the Samsung A400 remains an iconic and memorable device. It may not be as advanced as current smartphones, but it will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who owned and used it.
Samsung A400 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800
GPRS
No
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2001, Q4
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
70 x 48 x 20 mm (2.76 x 1.89 x 0.79 in)
Weight
80 g (2.82 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
Grayscale graphic, 4 shades
Size
Resolution
128 x 96 pixels, 6 lines
Other
Four way navigation keys
Dynamic font size
Softkeys
Memory
Card slot
No
Phonebook
100 entries, 5 contact groups
Call records
10 dialed, 10 received, 10 missed calls
Other
Message templates
Camera
Other
No
Sound
Loudspeaker
No
Alert types
Vibration; Monophonic ringtones, composer
3.5mm jack
No
Comms
WLAN
No
Bluetooth
No
Positioning
No
Infrared port
Yes
Radio
No
USB
Features
Sensors
Messaging
SMS
Browser
WAP 1.1
Clock
Yes
Alarm
Yes
Games
Yes
Java
No
Other
Predictive text input
Organizer
Speed dial
Menu shortcuts