The year was 2005, and the mobile phone industry was booming. Every day, new and innovative phones were being released, each one trying to outdo the other. In the midst of all the competition, Samsung released its X490 feature phone. While it may not have made as big of a splash as some other devices at the time, the X490 still has its own unique features and capabilities that make it worth exploring.
Dimensions and Storage
The Samsung X490 was a lightweight device, weighing only 86g and measuring 24mm in thickness. This made it easy to carry around and handle, even for those with smaller hands. However, this compact size meant that the phone did not come with a card slot for expandable storage. Instead, it only had 3MB of internal storage. While this may seem minuscule compared to modern smartphones, it was quite impressive for a feature phone in 2005.
Network and Technology
The X490 was an impressive device when it came to network technology. It operated on GSM networks, enabling users to make calls and send messages through GSM 900, 1800, and 1900 bands. It also had GPRS capability of Class 10, allowing for internet access on the device. However, it did not have EDGE technology, which at the time was considered a disadvantage since it offered faster data transfer speeds.
Display and Memory
The Samsung X490 featured a UFB display with 65K colors, which was considered a high-quality display at the time. Its resolution of 128 x 160 pixels may seem low by today's standards, but it was considered decent back then. The phone also had a second external mono display with 96 x 64 pixels for quick access to notifications and incoming calls. In terms of memory, the X490 did not have a card slot, but it did have 3MB of internal storage. This was enough to store up to 500 phonebook entries and 200 short messages.
Camera and Sound
Unlike many modern phones that come with high-resolution cameras, the Samsung X490 did not have a camera at all. This may seem like a significant drawback now, but back then, cameras on phones were still a relatively new concept. However, the X490 did have vibration and downloadable polyphonic ringtones for sound alerts. It also had no loudspeaker or 3.5mm jack for headphones, making it a device primarily used for phone calls and text messaging.
Features and Battery
The X490 may not have had all the features we have come to expect from phones today, but it did have some essential functions. It had the ability to send SMS, EMS, and MMS messages and had a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser for basic internet browsing. It also had Java compatibility, which allowed users to download and use various Java applications. The phone also had predictive text input, making texting more efficient. In terms of battery life, the X490 had a removable Li-Ion 850 mAh battery that could last up to 300 hours on standby and up to 7 hours of talk time.
The End of an Era
The Samsung X490 was announced in 2005, stating its release in the fourth quarter of that year. However, it was discontinued shortly after, making it a relatively rare device to find now. The white silver and indigo blue color options gave users some personalization options, and the SAR EU (Specific Absorption Rate in the European Union) of 1.20 W/kg made it a safe device to use.
In conclusion, while the Samsung X490 may not be as popular or well-known as some other phones from the same time period, it still holds its own unique features and can bring back a wave of nostalgia for those who owned and used one. It serves as a reminder of how far technology has come in just a short amount of time and showcases the evolution of mobile phones from simple feature phones to the advanced smartphones we have today.
