Bird S296

NETWORK
Technology GSM
2G bands GSM 900 / 1800
GPRS No
EDGE No
LAUNCH
Announced 2007
Status Discontinued
BODY
Dimensions 105 x 45 x 15.7 mm (4.13 x 1.77 x 0.62 in)
Weight 75 g (2.65 oz)
SIM Mini-SIM
DISPLAY
Type Monochrome graphic
Size 1.4 inches, 5.7 cm2 (~12.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 101x 64 pixels (~85 ppi density)
MEMORY
Card slot No
Phonebook Yes
Call records 20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls
CAMERA
No
SOUND
Loudspeaker No
Alert types Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MIDI ringtones
3.5mm jack No
COMMS
WLAN No
Bluetooth No
Positioning No
Radio No
USB No
FEATURES
Sensors
Messaging SMS
Browser No
Games Yes
Java No
EFR, FR, HR voice codecs
Languages: Chinese, English, French, Arabic, Vietnamese
BATTERY
Type Removable Li-Ion 500 mAh battery
Stand-by Up to 140 h
Talk time Up to 2 h
MISC
Colors Black, Grey

Bird S296 Overall Review

The Bird S296, announced in 2007, encapsulates the essence of basic mobile communication devices of its time. It features a 1.4-inch display, which, while modest by today’s standards, served the primary purpose of making calls and sending text messages clearly and effectively during its era. The device comes equipped with a 500 mAh battery, reflecting the low power consumption needs of such simple phones, offering a standby and talk time suitable for daily use without the constant need for recharging.

Given the era of its release, the Bird S296 focuses on the core functionalities of a mobile phone, emphasizing reliability and ease of use over the complexity of features found in contemporary smartphones. It’s designed for users who prefer a straightforward mobile experience or require a secondary device for calls and texts.

Bird S296 Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Extremely lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry.
  • Simplistic design and interface, ideal for users seeking basic phone functions.
  • The 1.4-inch display is sufficient for dialing and reading text messages.
  • Low power consumption with a 500 mAh battery, suitable for its limited feature set.

Cons:

  • Lacks modern features such as internet connectivity, camera, and app support.
  • Limited entertainment options with no support for media playback.
  • The small screen size might be challenging for reading longer texts.
  • Very basic storage capacity, only fit for contacts and messages.