BenQ EL71

NETWORK
Technology GSM
2G bands GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
GPRS Class 10
EDGE Class 10
LAUNCH
Announced 2006, February
Status Discontinued
BODY
Dimensions 90 x 46.3 x 16.5 mm (3.54 x 1.82 x 0.65 in)
Weight 94 g (3.32 oz)
SIM Mini-SIM
DISPLAY
Type TFT, 256K colors
Size 2.0 inches, 30 x 40 mm, 12.4 cm2 (~29.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~200 ppi density)
Wallpapers
MEMORY
Card slot microSD (dedicated slot)
Phonebook 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call
Call records 100 dialed, 100 received, 100 missed calls
Internal 16MB
MAIN CAMERA
Single 1.3 MP
Features LED flash
Video Yes
SELFIE CAMERA
No
SOUND
Loudspeaker No
Alert types Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones
3.5mm jack No
COMMS
WLAN No
Bluetooth 1.2, A2DP
Positioning No
Radio No
USB 2.0
FEATURES
Sensors
Messaging SMS, EMS, MMS
Browser WAP 2.0/xHTML, Email
Games Yes
Java Yes, MIDP 2.0
MP3/AAC/WAV player
Predictive text input
Stopwatch
Organizer
Voice memo
BATTERY
Type Removable Li-Ion 570 mAh battery
Stand-by Up to 280 h
Talk time Up to 4 h
MISC
Colors Vibrant grey

BenQ EL71 Overall Review

The BenQ EL71, released in February 2006, is a sleek slider phone that showcases the design and technology trends of the mid-2000s. It features a 2.0-inch TFT screen with a resolution that was considered high-quality for its time, facilitating a clear and vibrant display for viewing content and navigating the phone’s menu.

A key highlight of the EL71 is its 1.3 MP rear camera, allowing users to capture everyday moments with relative clarity and color accuracy for the era. This camera feature was quite commendable at the time, as it provided a balance between functionality and the phone’s compact design.

With 16 MB of internal storage, the EL71 was aimed at users requiring a basic storage capacity for their contacts, messages, and a limited number of multimedia files. However, its focus on design and portability, rather than on advanced technical specifications, made it a popular choice among users looking for a stylish and functional mobile phone.

BenQ EL71 Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Compact and stylish slider design, appealing to users valuing aesthetics and ease of use.
  • The 1.3 MP camera is adequate for basic photography needs.
  • A 2.0-inch TFT screen provides a clear display for the phone’s functions.

Cons:

  • Limited internal storage capacity of 16 MB, restricting the volume of multimedia files that can be stored.
  • The absence of modern connectivity options like Wi-Fi and 3G, reflecting its age and the technological limitations of the time.
  • Battery life under modern usage patterns may be inadequate, given the advancements in mobile technology since its release.