The BenQ C30: A Feature Phone that Never Made it to Market
In 2007, the technology world was buzzing with anticipation over the release of the BenQ C30. However, despite the initial excitement, this device was unfortunately cancelled before ever making it to the market. So what exactly was this phone and why did it never see the light of day? Let's dive into the key details of the BenQ C30.
Design and Network
The BenQ C30 was a slim and lightweight feature phone, weighing just 77g with a thickness of 14.4mm. It's dimensions were 108 x 47.3 x 14.4 mm, making it a compact device that would easily fit in your pocket or bag. It also had a mini-SIM card slot and supported GSM technology, specifically the 2G bands of 900 and 1800. Though it did not have EDGE capabilities, it did have GPRS Class 12 for basic internet connectivity.
Display and Memory
The C30 featured a 1.8 inch TFT display with a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels and 256K colors. Though small, this screen was sufficient for tasks such as checking messages and making calls. It also had the ability to display wallpapers for added customization. In terms of memory, the phone included a microSD slot for expandable storage and could store up to 10 contacts in the phonebook and call records for 10 dialed, received, and missed calls.
Camera and Sound
As a feature phone, the camera on the BenQ C30 was relatively basic, featuring a single VGA camera that could record videos. There was no front-facing camera for taking selfies. However, the phone did have a loudspeaker and could support vibration alerts and downloadable ringtones in various formats such as polyphonic, MP3, and AAC.
Connectivity and Features
In terms of connectivity, the C30 lacked some modern features such as WLAN and Bluetooth. It also did not have GPS for positioning. However, it did have an FM radio receiver and a 1.1 USB port for charging and data transfer. As a feature phone, the C30 did not have advanced sensors or messaging capabilities, but it did support SMS, EMS, and MMS. It also had a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser for basic internet browsing, as well as built-in games and Java support. One unique feature of the C30 was its e-book reader, allowing users to read books on their phone. It also had an MP3 player, voice memo, and even a health management function to track activities and exercise.
Battery and Availability
The C30 was powered by a removable Li-Ion 650 mAh battery, which promised up to 250 hours of standby time and 4 hours of talk time. Though it never made it to market, the C30 was announced in September of 2007 and was expected to be released sometime that year. Unfortunately, it was ultimately cancelled and never made available for purchase.
Final Thoughts
Although the BenQ C30 never saw the light of day in terms of sales, it remains an interesting piece of technology that could have been a popular option for those looking for a basic feature phone in 2007. Its compact design, decent camera, and unique features certainly set it apart from other feature phones of its time. Even though it was ultimately cancelled, the C30 still leaves us curious and wondering about what could have been.
