In today's fast-paced world, smartphones have become an essential part of our daily lives. However, there was a time when feature phones like the Samsung C5220 were the talk of the town. Released in March 2009 by the renowned brand Samsung, this device made quite a splash in the market. Let us dive deeper into what made the C5220 unique and noteworthy.
Design and Dimensions
One of the first things that caught people's attention was the sleek design and compact size of the C5220. Weighing only 100g and measuring 18.2mm in thickness, it was a lightweight and portable device. The phone had a sturdy build, with its body dimensions being 99 x 49.5 x 18.2 mm. It also featured a mini-SIM, making it convenient for users to switch between different networks.
Display and Memory
The C5220 boasted a 2.0-inch TFT display with 256K colors, providing a decent visual experience. Its screen-to-body ratio was 25.7%, and it had a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels, with a density of 141 ppi. In addition to this, the phone also had an external 1-inch black and white FSTN display, with a resolution of 96 x 96 pixels. As for memory, the C5220 had a dedicated microSD slot that allowed users to expand the storage up to 35MB. It also had a phonebook capacity of 1000 contacts with photo call, and the ability to record 30 dialed, received, and missed calls.
Camera and Sound
The C5220 featured a single 1.3 MP camera on the back, which was quite impressive for its time. It also had the capability to record videos, making it a step ahead of other feature phones at the time. The device also had a loudspeaker, but unfortunately, it did not have a 3.5mm jack for audio output.
Connectivity and Features
In terms of connectivity, the C5220 offered Bluetooth capabilities, allowing users to share files and connect to other devices. However, it did not have WLAN, positioning, or radio options. The phone also had a proprietary USB slot for charging and data transfer. The device also came with features such as SMS, MMS, and Email for messaging purposes. It also had a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser, along with basic games and Java support. On the entertainment front, the C5220 had an MP3/AAC/WMA/MP4 player, which was considered quite advanced for a feature phone. It also had an organizer, voice memo, and predictive text input.
Battery Life and Price
The C5220 had a removable Li-Ion 960 mAh battery, providing users with a standby time of up to 250 hours and talk time of up to 2 hours. This was relatively decent for a feature phone at the time. The device was available in three colors - grey, red, and black, and its SAR EU value was recorded at 1.26 W/kg (head). The C5220 was originally priced at around 60 EUR, catering to budget-conscious users.
The Verdict
Although the C5220 may seem outdated now, it was a popular and reliable feature phone during its time. Its compact design, decent camera, and expandable memory were some of its notable features. It was also known for being a budget-friendly option among its competitors. However, with the rise of smartphones, the C5220 was discontinued and is no longer available for purchase. Nevertheless, it will always be remembered as one of Samsung's successful feature phones that revolutionized the market back in 2009.
