Benefon iO

The Benefon iO: A Look Back at a Discontinued Mobile Phone

From the first portable mobile phone, the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, to the sleek pocket-sized smartphones of today, the technology of mobile phones has evolved significantly over the years. In 1999, the Benefon iO was one of the latest additions to the market, offering users a compact and functional device with its unique features. Let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit the Benefon iO and its standout features.

The Benefon iO was announced in 1999, during a time when mobile phones were still a luxury for many. Its launch was met with excitement, as it offered users a new and innovative experience. The phone boasted a monochrome graphic display, featuring six lines of text that were dynamic and user-selectable. It also had Cyrillic characters, making it stand out from other mobile phones on the market at that time.

One of the standout features of the Benefon iO was its compact size and lightweight body. It measured 122 x 56 x 24 mm (4.80 x 2.20 x 0.94 in) and weighed only 167 g (5.89 oz), making it easy to carry around. It also had a mini-SIM slot, which was the standard at that time.

The phone had a basic memory system, with no expandable memory card slot. The phonebook was limited to only the SIM card, and it could store up to 15 dialed, 5 received, and 5 missed calls. This may seem small compared to today's standards, but back then, it was enough for users to maintain their contacts and call logs.

The Benefon iO may have lacked a camera, but it made up for it with its powerful battery. The phone had a removable NiMH 700 mAh battery that could last up to 60 hours on standby and 5 hours of talk time. This was impressive at that time, as other phones on the market could only last a few hours.

In terms of connectivity, the Benefon iO used GSM technology, which was the standard for mobile phones back then. It did not have features like GPRS or EDGE, which are common in today's smartphones. However, it did have vibration and monophonic ringtones for alerts, making it stand out from other phones in terms of customization.

The phone did not have any advanced communication features like WLAN or Bluetooth, but it did have standard messaging capabilities. Users could send SMS messages and had access to an organizer, clock, alarm, and phone ON/OFF timers. It also had a unique temperature indicator, which was a rare feature in mobile phones at that time.

The Benefon iO came in six different colors, giving users the option to choose a phone that suited their personal style. It also had three built-in games, which may seem basic compared to the gaming capabilities of today's phones, but it was enough to keep users entertained during their free time.

One unique feature of the Benefon iO was its predictive text input, which made it easier for users to type messages quickly and effectively. This was a game-changer compared to the traditional T9 input method used by other phones at that time.

Unfortunately, the Benefon iO was eventually discontinued, with many newer and more advanced phones taking its place. However, it will always be remembered as a pioneer in mobile phone technology, offering users a compact, functional, and customizable device.

In conclusion, the Benefon iO may have been discontinued, but it will always hold a special place in the hearts of early mobile phone users. Its compact size, impressive battery life, and unique features make it a standout device from its time. The technology may have evolved, but the Benefon iO will always be remembered as a key player in shaping the mobile phone industry.

Latest Benefon iO Specs and Prices

LAUNCH

• Announced:  1999
• Status:  Discontinued

MEMORY

• Card slot:  No
• Phonebook:  SIM only
• Call records:  15 dialed, 5 received, 5 missed calls

DISPLAY

• Type:  Monochrome graphic
• Size:  -
• Resolution:  6 lines - Dynamic & user-selectable font size Cyrillic characters

BODY

• Dimensions:  122 x 56 x 24 mm (4.80 x 2.20 x 0.94 in)
• Weight:  167 g (5.89 oz)
• SIM:  Mini-SIM

CAMERA

• -:  No

BATTERY

• Type:  Removable NiMH 700 mAh battery
• Stand by:  60 h
• Talk time:  5 h

CELLPHONE NETWORK

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

SOUND

• Loudspeaker :  No
• Alert types:  Vibration; Monophonic ringtones
• 3.5mm jack :  No

COMMUNICATIONS

• WLAN:  No
• Bluetooth:  No
• Positioning:  No
• Radio:  No
• USB:  -

FEATURES

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

MISCELLANEOUS

• Colors:  6

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.