The Evolution of Samsung's P730: A Feature Phone Ahead of Its Time
Samsung, a globally recognized leader in the tech industry, has produced numerous innovative devices over the years. One such device is the P730, a feature phone that was released in 2004, March. While feature phones were all the rage during this time, the P730 stood out from its competitors with its advanced features and futuristic design.
Release and Design
The Samsung P730 was originally released in March 2004 and quickly gained popularity among consumers. Its sleek design, measuring 94 x 45 x 25 mm and weighing 123g, was ahead of its time, making it stand out in a sea of bulky feature phones. It also had a mini-SIM slot, making it easy to carry and handle.
Display and Multimedia Features
The P730 boasted a TFD display with 256K colors-- a revolutionary feature for a feature phone. It also had a unique dual rotation display and a second external OLED display, allowing for greater user flexibility. Additionally, the P730 had video wallpaper capabilities, as well as downloadable logos, making it customizable to each user's preferences.
But the P730's multimedia features didn't end there. It also had a 1 MP main camera capable of taking CIF videos, and an extended battery option that allowed for up to 100 minutes of video recording. It's safe to say that the P730 was a feature phone meant for entertainment and multimedia purposes.
Storage and Network Capabilities
In terms of storage, the P730 had 64MB of internal storage and an RS-MMC card slot for additional memory. This was a significant amount of storage at the time, especially considering it was a feature phone. It also had GSM technology with 2G bands, making it compatible with a majority of networks at the time.
Operating System and Connectivity
The P730 ran on a feature phone operating system, offering basic functions such as SMS, MMS, and email. However, it also had a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser, allowing for limited internet access. And although it didn't have Bluetooth or WLAN capabilities, it did have an infrared port for data transfer.
Battery Life and Other Features
The P730's battery life was impressive for its time, with a standard removable Li-Ion 800 mAh battery that offered up to 243 hours of standby time and 3 hours and 20 minutes of talk time. But for heavy users, an extended Li-Ion 1100 mAh battery was also available, providing up to 335 hours of standby time and 4 hours and 20 minutes of talk time.
In addition to its advanced features, the P730 also had other useful features such as a built-in MP3 player, predictive text input, and an organizer. These features added to the overall appeal of the device.
Discontinuation and Legacy
Unfortunately, like all good things, the Samsung P730 eventually came to an end. It was discontinued, and newer and more advanced devices took its place. However, the P730 holds a special place in the history of feature phones and paved the way for future innovations in the tech industry.
The P730 may have been ahead of its time, but it will always be remembered as a unique and groundbreaking device in Samsung's long list of successful devices.
Samsung P730 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
GPRS
Class 8
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2004, March
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
94 x 45 x 25 mm (3.70 x 1.77 x 0.98 in)
Weight
123 g (4.34 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
TFD, 256K colors
Size
Resolution
176 x 220 pixels
Other
Second external 256 colors OLED display (96 x 64 pixels)
Dual rotation display
Video wallpapers
Downloadable logos
Memory
Card slot
RS-MMC
Phonebook
2000 entries, Photo call
Call records
20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls
Internal
64MB
Other
Up to 100 min video recording
Main Camera
Single
1 MP
Video
CIF
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
Proprietary
Features
Sensors
Messaging
SMS, EMS, MMS, Email
Browser
WAP 2.0/xHTML
Games
3 - BubbleSmile, Fun2Link, Mobile Chess + 3D games