Benefon Esc!

The Benefon Esc: A Throwback to the Early Days of Mobile Phones

Do you remember the days before smartphones? Before touchscreens and apps, when mobile phones were mainly used for making calls and sending sms messages? If you do, then you might have heard of the Benefon Esc, an iconic phone that was announced in 1999. Let's take a trip down memory lane and explore the features of this beloved device.

A Brief History of the Benefon Esc

The Benefon Esc was announced in 1999, as one of the earliest mobile phones to hit the market. It was developed by the Finnish company Benefon, which was known for its high-quality, rugged phones. The Benefon Esc quickly became a popular choice among consumers, thanks to its durable design and reliable performance.

Unfortunately, the Benefon Esc was discontinued in the early 2000s, as newer, more advanced phones entered the market. However, it still holds a special place in the hearts of many who remember it as their first mobile phone.

Design and Display

The Benefon Esc may seem bulky and outdated by today's standards, but back in 1999, it was considered sleek and modern. It had dimensions of 129 x 49 x 23 mm and weighed 150 g, making it easy to carry around. The phone had a monochrome graphic display, with a resolution of 100 x 160 pixels and 20 lines. To add a touch of sophistication, the display had electro-luminescent lighting and a dynamic, user-selectable font size.

One of the unique features of the Benefon Esc was its ability to display maps, which was a rare feature for mobile phones at the time. This made it a popular choice for travelers and adventurers who needed a reliable navigation device.

Battery Life and Network

The battery life of the Benefon Esc is one of its standout features, with a removable Li-Ion 700 mAh battery that could last up to 10 hours of talk time and 240 hours of standby time. This was quite impressive at the time, compared to other phones that had much shorter battery life.

The Benefon Esc also supported the GSM network, which was the standard mobile network technology in the 1990s. It did not have GPRS or EDGE connectivity, but it did have an infrared port for data transfer.

Camera and Communications

In the early days of mobile phones, cameras were not a standard feature yet. And the Benefon Esc was no exception, as it did not have a built-in camera. However, it did have a loudspeaker for hands-free calling and the option to download monophonic ringtones for some added personalization.

In terms of communications, the Benefon Esc was ahead of its time with a GPS positioning system and infrared port. It did not have Bluetooth or Wi-Fi capabilities, but it did have SMS messaging, which was the main form of communication through mobile phones at the time.

Other Features

Aside from its basic calling and messaging features, the Benefon Esc also had some additional features that made it stand out from other phones. It had three built-in games for entertainment, as well as a clock, alarm, and organizer for daily use. One of its unique features was the predictive text input, which helped users type faster and more accurately.

The End of an Era

Sadly, the Benefon Esc was discontinued in the early 2000s, as the mobile phone industry evolved and new technologies emerged. But for many, it will always hold a special place in their hearts as a loyal and reliable companion during the early days of mobile phones.

In conclusion, the Benefon Esc may not have been a groundbreaking device, but it was a pioneer in the mobile phone industry and deserves recognition for its contributions. It may have been a blast from the past, but it will always be remembered for its durability, reliable performance, and unique features that set it apart from other phones at the time.

Latest Benefon Esc! Specs and Prices

LAUNCH

• Announced:  1999
• Status:  Discontinued

MEMORY

• Card slot:  No
• Phonebook:  255
• Call records:  15 dialed, 10 received, 10 missed calls

DISPLAY

• Type:  Monochrome graphic
• Size:  -
• Resolution:  100 x 160 pixels, 20 lines, 16:10 ratio - Electro-luminescent lighting Dynamic & user-selectable font size Maps

BODY

• Dimensions:  129 x 49 x 23 mm, 138 cc (5.08 x 1.93 x 0.91 in)
• Weight:  150 g (5.29 oz)
• SIM:  Mini-SIM

CAMERA

• -:  No

BATTERY

• Type:  Removable Li-Ion 700 mAh battery
• Stand by:  240 h
• Talk time:  10 h

CELLPHONE NETWORK

• Technology:  GSM
• 2G bands:  GSM 900 / 1800
• Gprs:  No
• Edge:  No

SOUND

• Loudspeaker :  No
• Alert types:  Vibration; Downloadable monophonic ringtones
• 3.5mm jack :  No - Personalised ringing melodies Ascending alert Several SMS alert tones and tone levels

COMMUNICATIONS

• WLAN:  No
• Bluetooth:  No
• Positioning:  GPS
• Infrared port:  Yes
• Radio:  No
• USB:  -

FEATURES

• Sensors:  -
• Messaging:  SMS
• Browser:  -
• Clock:  Yes
• Alarm:  Yes
• Games:  3
• Java:  No - Predictive text input Organizer Phone ON/OFF timers

MISCELLANEOUS

• Colors:  -

Disclaimer: Specifications shown may be different from the actual product. We cannot guarantee that the information provided on this page is 100% correct. This content is provided for information purposes only. All information included herein is subject to change without notice.