Vodafone's 533: The Feature Phone That Made a Mark in 2009
The year was 2009, the world was buzzing with new technology and innovations. Vodafone, one of the leading names in the telecommunications industry, released its new feature phone – the Vodafone 533. This slim and sleek device quickly gained popularity among consumers for its compact design and impressive features. Let’s delve into what made the Vodafone 533 stand out in a sea of mobile phones.
Design and Dimensions
Starting with the basics, the Vodafone 533 weighed only 90 grams and had a thickness of 14.7mm. Its overall dimensions were 98.5 x 46.2 x 14.7 mm, making it lightweight and easy to carry around. The phone was designed with a mini-SIM slot and a TFT display screen that could showcase 256K colors. With a screen size of 2.0 inches and a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels, the display was clear and vibrant. The handset also came in three colors - black, Catwalk Red, and Catwalk Lady, giving consumers a wider range of options to choose from.
Impressive Features
For a feature phone, the Vodafone 533 was ahead of its time when it came to its features. The phone had 8MB of storage, along with a dedicated microSDHC slot for additional storage space. It could store up to 500 entries in its phonebook and keep records of 20 dialed, received, and missed calls. The main camera was 1.3 MP, and the phone even had a built-in MP3 player. Although the phone did not have a selfie camera or video capabilities, it made up for it with its other features. These included a loudspeaker, voice memo, predictive text input, and a variety of games. The Vodafone 533 also had Bluetooth 2.0 and USB 1.1 for easy connectivity and data transfer.
Network and Operating System
The Vodafone 533 was a GSM phone, supporting 2G bands of GSM 900/1800/1900. It also had GPRS and EDGE class 10 capabilities. The phone ran on a feature phone operating system, providing basic functions such as calling, messaging, and organizing. The Java MIDP 2.0 platform allowed users to download and use various Java applications for their convenience.
Battery Life
The phone had a removable Li-Ion 670 mAh battery, which could last up to 250 hours on standby and provide 2.5 hours of talk time. This battery life was considered impressive for a feature phone at that time. Users could efficiently use their phone without worrying about it dying on them in the middle of the day.
Release and Discontinuation
Vodafone announced the release of the 533 in February 2009, and it was available in stores by March of the same year. The phone quickly gained recognition and was popular among consumers, especially those who wanted an affordable yet reliable device. However, like all good things, the Vodafone 533 came to a halt when it was discontinued from production, leaving a lasting impression on its users.
In conclusion, the Vodafone 533 was a game-changer in 2009 with its sleek design, impressive features, and excellent performance. The phone provided users with a convenient and reliable way to stay connected in a fast-paced world. Although it may have been discontinued, it remains a memorable device for many.
Vodafone 533 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
GPRS
Class 10
EDGE
Class 10
Launch
Announced
2009, February. Released 2009, March
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
98.5 x 46.2 x 14.7 mm, 60 cc (3.88 x 1.82 x 0.58 in)