If you're a fan of vintage cell phones, the Samsung SGH-500 may be one that you've heard of. Released in 1998, this feature phone was a popular choice among many users at the time. It was known for its compact size and simple design, making it a convenient and easy-to-use device.
Dimensions and Features
Weighing in at just 115g with a slim battery, the Samsung SGH-500 was considered lightweight for its time. It also had a thickness of just 19mm, making it one of the slimmest phones available. The small and sleek design made it easy for users to carry around and fit into their pockets.
However, one downside of the phone was its lack of a card slot for extra storage. This meant that users were limited to the phone's internal storage, which was not much compared to today's standards.
The Samsung SGH-500 was also a feature phone, meaning it did not have advanced capabilities like smartphones do today. But it did come with some useful features such as a dynamic font size for easier reading, fixed icons for quicker navigation, and softkeys for convenient access to certain functions.
Network and Connectivity
In terms of network connectivity, the Samsung SGH-500 was only capable of operating on GSM technology. It could only support 2G bands on GSM 900, without any additional features like GPRS or EDGE.
Unfortunately, the phone did not have any form of wireless communication or positioning capabilities. This means no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS was available on the device. However, it did offer basic messaging through SMS and basic internet browsing.
Camera and Audio
Unlike modern phones with high-resolution cameras, the Samsung SGH-500 did not have one. Users could not take photos or record videos with this device. However, it did come with some advanced audio features for its time, like 6 voice languages and monophonic ringtones.
There was also an option for vibration alerts, instead of traditional ringtone notifications. The phone had no loudspeaker or headphone jack, so users had to rely on the phone's built-in speaker for audio playback.
Battery Life and Other Features
The Samsung SGH-500 had a removable Li-Ion battery that provided up to 30 hours of standby time and 1 hour and 30 minutes of talk time. However, there was also a middle Li-Ion battery option that offered longer standby time of up to 60 hours and extended talk time of 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Other notable features of the Samsung SGH-500 include a menu shortcut for quick access to frequently used functions, world clock for keeping track of time in different time zones, and voice dial and speed dial for convenient calling.
In Conclusion
Although it may seem outdated by today's standards, the Samsung SGH-500 was a popular and reliable device during its time. Its compact size, simple design, and useful features made it a favorite among many users. With its release in 1998 and discontinuation soon after, the Samsung SGH-500 will forever hold a special place in the history of cell phones.
