While we may be used to the latest smartphones with advanced features and cutting-edge technology, it's always interesting to look back at the devices that paved the way for our current devices. One such device is the D488, released by Samsung in 2004.
A Brief History of the D488
The D488 was released in the fourth quarter of 2004 as a feature phone, meaning it did not have all the capabilities of a smartphone. However, at the time, it was considered a highly advanced device with its sleek design and impressive features.
Dimensions and Network Technology
The D488 weighed in at 95g and had a thickness of 24mm, making it a lightweight and compact device. It operated on GSM technology and supported 2G bands, specifically GSM 900 and 1800. However, it did not have GPRS or EDGE capabilities.
Display and Touchpad
The D488 had a TFT display with 65K colors, which at the time was a significant improvement from the commonly used black and white displays. It had a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels spread over 7 lines. Additionally, it had a second external TFT display with 65K colors and a resolution of 96 x 96 pixels. The D488 also came with a touchpad, a relatively new feature at the time.
Memory and Camera
One important thing to note about the D488 was that it did not have a card slot, meaning it could not support external memory. However, it did have a phonebook with a photo call feature and could store up to 20 dialed, received, and missed calls. The main camera of the D488 was a single VGA camera, but unfortunately, it did not have any video capabilities. It also did not have a front-facing camera.
Additional Features and Battery
The D488 did not have a loudspeaker or a 3.5mm jack for audio, but it did support downloadable polyphonic ringtones. It also did not have WLAN, Bluetooth, or positioning capabilities. However, it did have an infrared port for data transfer. As for additional features, the D488 had a messaging function for SMS, EMS, and MMS, as well as a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser. It also had built-in games and supported Java and MIDP 2.0. Other features included handwriting recognition, an English/Chinese dictionary, predictive text input, an organizer, and a stopwatch.
The D488 was powered by a removable Li-Ion 800 mAh battery, which provided up to 150 hours of standby time and up to 3 hours and 50 minutes of talk time.
In Conclusion
Although the D488 may seem like a simple and outdated device by today's standards, it was considered a highly advanced and popular phone during its time of release. Its sleek design and impressive features paved the way for the development of even more advanced devices in the future.
Despite being discontinued, the D488 is still remembered by many as one of the iconic devices that helped shape the mobile phone industry into what it is today.
If you ever come across a D488 in today's world, it may just bring back memories and remind you of how far we've come in terms of technology and mobile devices.
Samsung D488 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800
GPRS
Class 10
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2004, Q4
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
92 x 48.5 x 24 mm (3.62 x 1.91 x 0.94 in)
Weight
95 g (3.35 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
TFT, 65K colors
Size
Resolution
128 x 160 pixels, 7 lines
Other
Second external TFT display 65K colors, 96 x 96 pixels
Touchpad
Memory
Card slot
No
Phonebook
Yes, Photo call
Call records
20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls
Main Camera
Single
VGA
Video
No
Selfie camera
Other
No
Sound
Loudspeaker
No
Alert types
Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic ringtones
3.5mm jack
No
Comms
WLAN
No
Bluetooth
No
Positioning
No
Infrared port
Yes
Radio
No
USB
Features
Sensors
Messaging
SMS, EMS, MMS
Browser
WAP 2.0/xHTML
Games
Yes + downloadable
Java
Yes, MIDP 2.0
Other
Handwriting recognition
English/Chinese dictionary
Predictive text input
Organizer
Stopwatch