The Innovative Twin: A Look at Benefon's Feature Phone from 2000
In the rapidly evolving world of technology, it's easy to forget about the devices that paved the way for our modern smartphones. One such device is the Twin, released in 2000 by the Finnish brand Benefon.
A Quick History Lesson on Benefon
Benefon was a telecommunications company founded in Finland in 1988. They were known for their innovative approach to mobile phones, with a focus on design and features. The company released several popular devices in the late 90s and early 2000s, including the Twin.
Meet the Twin: Device Specifications
The Twin was released in the year 2000 and was considered a feature phone, meaning it had limited capabilities compared to today's smartphones. It weighed 105g and had a thickness of 27mm, making it relatively lightweight and compact. With no card slot available, the Twin had limited storage options.
Network and Operating System
The Twin operated on the GSM network, with 2G bands supporting GSM 900 and 1800. However, it did not have GPRS or EDGE capabilities, limiting its internet functionality. Being released in 2000, the Twin also ran on a basic feature phone operating system.
Display and User Interface
The Twin featured a monochrome graphic display with a resolution of 100 x 48 pixels and 6 lines. What set it apart was the electro-luminescent lighting and user-selectable font size, providing a unique and customizable experience. Additionally, the phone had 255 phonebook entries and could store up to 15 dialed, 5 received, and 5 missed calls.
No Camera or Loudspeaker, But Still Impressive Features
While the Twin did not have a camera or loudspeaker, it had other notable features such as downloadable monophonic ringtones and personalised ringing melodies. It also had ascending alerts and multiple SMS alert tones and tone levels, making it stand out among other feature phones of its time.
Connectivity and Other Features
In terms of connectivity, the Twin did not have WLAN, Bluetooth, positioning, or radio. However, it did have messaging capabilities through SMS and basic features such as a clock, alarm, and organizer, making it a functional device for everyday use. It also had three games pre-installed: Wall breaker, Galactic gunner, and Labyrinth.
Battery Life and Additional Information
The Twin ran on a removable Li-Ion 650 mAh battery with a standby time of 120 hours and talk time of 5 hours and 20 minutes. Benefon also released an updated version of the Twin with a Lithium ion 1100 mAh battery, providing a standby time of 200 hours and talk time of 9 hours.
The Twin's Legacy
The Twin may not have been a groundbreaking device, but it left a lasting impression on the mobile phone industry. Its unique design, customizable user interface, and impressive features set it apart from other feature phones of its time. While Benefon may no longer exist, the Twin remains a testament to their innovative approach to technology.
In Conclusion
The Twin may be a forgotten device in the world of smartphones, but it played a crucial role in shaping the mobile phone industry. Its design and features may seem basic now, but in the year 2000, it was considered an innovative and advanced device. It's safe to say that the Twin will always hold a special place in the history of mobile phones.
Benefon Twin Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800
GPRS
No
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2000
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
112 x 49 x 27 mm, 115 cc (4.41 x 1.93 x 1.06 in)
Weight
105 g (3.70 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
Monochrome graphic
Size
Resolution
100 x 48 pixels, 6 lines
Other
Electro-luminescent lighting
Dynamic & user-selectable font size
Memory
Card slot
No
Phonebook
255
Call records
15 dialed, 5 received, 5 missed calls
Camera
Other
No
Sound
Loudspeaker
No
Alert types
Downloadable monophonic ringtones
3.5mm jack
No
Other
Personalised ringing melodies
Ascending alert
Several SMS alert tones and tone levels
Comms
WLAN
No
Bluetooth
No
Positioning
No
Radio
No
USB
Features
Sensors
Messaging
SMS
Browser
Clock
Yes
Alarm
Yes
Games
3 - Wall breaker, Galactic gunner, Labyrinth
Java
No
Other
Predictive text input
Organizer
Phone ON/OFF timers
User-changeable display masks