The Nostalgia of Samsung E380: A Classic Feature Phone
In the world of constantly evolving technology, it's refreshing to take a trip down memory lane and reminisce about the simpler times. Back in 2006, July to be exact, Samsung released their E380 model - a compact and sleek feature phone that brought convenience and style to its users.
The Release and Specifications
The Samsung E380 boasted some impressive features for its time. Weighing only 77g and having a thickness of 16.8mm, it was a light and compact phone that easily fit in your pocket or purse. It had 40MB of storage, which was considered sufficient at the time, but unfortunately did not have a card slot for expandable storage.
This device operated on a GSM network and supported 2G bands of GSM 900, 1800, and 1900. It also had GPRS and EDGE capabilities, class 10 for both. These specifications allowed for decent internet browsing and messaging services on the go.
The Launch and Discontinuation
The Samsung E380 was announced in July of 2006 and was soon available for purchase by eager customers. However, this classic feature phone did not have a long run in the market and was eventually discontinued. Nevertheless, it left a lasting impression on those who owned and used it.
The Design and Display
The minimalist yet elegant design of the E380 consisted of a standard 1.9 inch TFT screen, capable of displaying 65K colors. It had a screen-to-body ratio of about 26.6%, with a second external CSTN, 65K colors display that measured 96 x 96 pixels. These features may seem basic compared to today's smartphones, but at the time, they were top-notch.
One of the unique features of this phone was the option to customize wallpapers – a trend that was popular among feature phones. It also had a decent resolution of 176 x 220 pixels, equating to a pixel density of 148 ppi.
Memory and Camera
The Samsung E380 had 40MB of internal storage, which may not sound like much now, but back then, it was enough to store personal data, pictures, and messages. Sadly, it did not have a card slot for expandable storage, so users had to manage with the available space.
The main camera of this device was a single 1.3-megapixel shooter, able to capture decent quality photos and even record videos. However, there was no front camera, as selfie culture had not yet taken over. Despite this, users were still able to enjoy taking and capturing special moments with their loved ones.
Additional Features and Battery Life
The Samsung E380 may have been a basic phone, but it had some cool additional features that made it stand out. It had a loudspeaker and the option to download polyphonic and MP3 ringtones, making it possible for users to personalize their phone. It also had Bluetooth 2.0 and A2DP capabilities, allowing for easy file sharing and connecting to other devices.
Other noteworthy features include a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser, pre-installed games, and Java support. It also had a predictive text input function, an organizer, and the ability to record voice memos – simple yet highly useful features.
This phone was powered by a removable Li-Ion 750 mAh battery, which could last up to 320 hours on standby and up to 3 hours and 50 minutes of talk time.
The Enduring Legacy
Although the Samsung E380 was discontinued, its legacy continues to live on. Many people who owned this device look back at it with fondness and nostalgia, as it was a reliable and stylish phone that served its purpose well. It may not have been a groundbreaking smartphone, but it remains a classic feature phone – a simple yet valuable part of Samsung's history.
Samsung E380 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
GPRS
Class 10
EDGE
Class 10
Launch
Announced
2006, July
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
93 x 46 x 16.8 mm (3.66 x 1.81 x 0.66 in)
Weight
77 g (2.72 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
TFT, 65K colors
Size
1.9 inches, 30 x 37 mm, 11.4 cm2 (~26.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution
176 x 220 pixels (~148 ppi density)
Other
Second external CSTN, 65K colors display, 96 x 96 pixels
Wallpaper
Memory
Card slot
No
Phonebook
1000 entries
Call records
10 dialed, 10 received, 10 missed calls
Internal
40MB
Main Camera
Single
1.3 MP
Video
Yes
Selfie camera
Other
No
Sound
Loudspeaker
Yes
Alert types
Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones
3.5mm jack
No
Comms
WLAN
No
Bluetooth
2.0, A2DP
Positioning
No
Radio
No
USB
1.1
Features
Sensors
Messaging
SMS, EMS, MMS, Email
Browser
WAP 2.0/xHTML
Games
Yes
Java
Yes, MIDP 2.0
Other
MP3/AMR/AAC/AAC+ player
Predictive text input
Organizer
Voice memo