Ericsson T39 Full Specifications, Features, History and Review – Classic Bluetooth GSM Phone from 2001
Ericsson T39 Full Specifications, Features, History and Review
The Ericsson T39 is one of the most iconic mobile phones released in the early 2000s. Announced in 2001, the device represented a major step forward in mobile technology during the transition from basic GSM phones to more advanced communication devices.
At a time when mobile phones were primarily used for voice calls and SMS, Ericsson introduced features that were considered cutting-edge, including Bluetooth connectivity, infrared communication, email capability and a compact business-oriented design.
Despite its small size, the Ericsson T39 delivered powerful functionality for professionals and technology enthusiasts. Even today, collectors and retro mobile phone fans consider it one of the most important devices in the history of early mobile communication.
Ericsson T39 Overview
The Ericsson T39 was developed during a period when the mobile industry was rapidly evolving. Many manufacturers were competing to create smaller, lighter, and more powerful devices. Ericsson, already known for its reliable GSM technology, focused on combining portability with business features.
With a weight of only 86 grams, the T39 became one of the lightest mobile phones available at the time. Its elegant flip design also made it stand out from other devices on the market.
Another major innovation introduced by the phone was Bluetooth 1.0b, allowing wireless communication between devices such as laptops, headsets, and other compatible gadgets.
Design and Build Quality
The design of the Ericsson T39 is simple yet elegant. The phone measures 96 x 50 x 18 mm, making it compact enough to fit comfortably in a pocket. Its lightweight construction makes it easy to carry throughout the day.
One distinctive feature of the device is its active flip cover. This small flip protects the keypad and also allows users to answer or end calls by opening or closing the cover.
Ericsson also released the device in three attractive colors:
- Classic Blue
- Icecap Blue
- Rose White
These color options gave the phone a professional appearance that appealed especially to business users.
Display Technology
The Ericsson T39 features a grayscale graphic display with a resolution of 101 x 54 pixels. While this may seem basic by modern standards, it was perfectly adequate for reading SMS messages, checking contacts and navigating the phone's menus.
The screen supports four lines of text, making it easy to read incoming messages and call information.
The monochrome display also helped conserve battery power, which allowed the phone to achieve impressive standby times.
Connectivity and Communication Features
One of the most revolutionary features of the Ericsson T39 was its support for Bluetooth technology. At the time, Bluetooth was still a relatively new standard for wireless communication between devices.
Bluetooth allowed users to connect their phone to compatible accessories without cables. This was particularly useful for business professionals who wanted to use wireless headsets or synchronize contacts with laptops.
In addition to Bluetooth, the phone also included an infrared port, allowing data transfer between devices that supported infrared communication.
Although the phone does not support Wi-Fi or GPS, these technologies were not yet common in mobile devices when the T39 was released.
Messaging Capabilities
Messaging was one of the core functions of early mobile phones, and the Ericsson T39 provided several options for communication.
Users could send and receive SMS messages quickly using the phone's predictive text input system. This feature made typing messages much faster than traditional multi-tap typing.
The phone also supported email messaging through compatible network services, which was considered an advanced feature at the time.
Phonebook and Memory
The Ericsson T39 included a built-in phonebook capable of storing up to 510 contacts. This was more than enough for most users during the early 2000s.
The phone also stored call records for incoming, outgoing and missed calls. Each category could keep up to ten entries.
Although the device does not support memory cards, its internal storage was designed to efficiently manage contacts, messages and basic data.
Audio and Ringtones
Unlike modern smartphones, the Ericsson T39 does not include a loudspeaker or a 3.5mm headphone jack. However, it offers vibration alerts and downloadable monophonic ringtones.
Users could also create custom ringtones using the built-in ringtone composer. This feature allowed people to personalize their phone's sound profile.
Productivity Features
The Ericsson T39 was designed with productivity in mind. The phone includes several useful tools that helped users manage their daily activities.
- Organizer
- Alarm clock
- Voice dialing
- Voice answering
- Profiles for different environments
Voice dialing was particularly useful for drivers or busy professionals who needed to make calls quickly without manually dialing numbers.
Battery Performance
Battery life was one of the strongest advantages of the Ericsson T39. The device uses a removable NiMH battery capable of delivering excellent performance.
Standard battery specifications include:
- Standby time up to 300 hours
- Talk time up to 11 hours
With the high-capacity battery, users could achieve:
- Standby time up to 29 days
- Talk time up to 25 hours
These numbers were extremely impressive for the time and made the phone very reliable for long trips or extended use.
Languages and International Support
The Ericsson T39 supports up to 37 languages, making it a truly international device. This allowed the phone to be sold and used in many countries around the world.
Ericsson was already a global telecommunications company, and the T39 reflected its commitment to international markets.
Legacy of the Ericsson T39
Although the Ericsson T39 has long been discontinued, it remains an important milestone in the evolution of mobile phones.
The device helped introduce Bluetooth technology to mainstream mobile users and demonstrated how compact devices could still provide advanced communication features.
Today, collectors and vintage technology enthusiasts continue to search for well-preserved Ericsson T39 units because of their historical importance.
Conclusion
The Ericsson T39 is a legendary device that represents an important chapter in the history of mobile communication. Its lightweight design, Bluetooth connectivity, and impressive battery life made it one of the most advanced phones of its era.
While modern smartphones now dominate the market, devices like the Ericsson T39 remind us of how quickly mobile technology has evolved. For many users, this classic phone remains a symbol of the early innovation that helped shape today's mobile world.
Ericsson T39 Full Specifications
The Ericsson T39 is a classic GSM mobile phone announced in 2001 by Ericsson. Known for its lightweight design, early Bluetooth connectivity, and impressive standby time, the device became one of the most iconic business phones of the early 2000s.
Network
| Technology | GSM |
Launch
| Announced | 2001 |
| Status | Discontinued |
Body
| Dimensions | 96 x 50 x 18 mm (3.78 x 1.97 x 0.71 in) |
| Weight | 86 g (3.03 oz) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM |
Display
| Type | Grayscale graphic |
| Resolution | 101 x 54 pixels (4 lines, 17:9 ratio) |
Memory
| Card Slot | No |
| Phonebook | 510 contacts |
| Call Records | 10 received, dialed, and missed calls |
Camera
| Camera | No |
Sound
| Loudspeaker | No |
| Alert Types | Vibration, Downloadable monophonic ringtones, Composer |
| 3.5mm Jack | No |
Communications
| WLAN | No |
| Bluetooth | 1.0b |
| Positioning | No |
| Infrared Port | Yes |
| Radio | No |
| USB | No |
Features
| Messaging | SMS, Email |
| Browser | WAP 1.2.1 |
| Clock | Yes |
| Alarm | Yes |
| Games | Yes |
| Languages | 37 |
| Java | No |
| Extra Features |
Predictive text input Organizer Voice dialing Voice answering Profiles Help texts and shortcuts Active flip |
Battery
| Type | Removable NiMH battery |
| Stand-by | Up to 300 hours |
| Talk Time | Up to 11 hours |
High Capacity Battery
| Stand-by | Up to 29 days |
| Talk Time | Up to 25 hours |
Misc
| Colors | Classic Blue, Icecap Blue, Rose White |
Conclusion
The Ericsson T39 remains a legendary mobile phone from the early GSM era. Despite its compact size and lightweight design, it introduced advanced features such as Bluetooth connectivity and long standby battery life, making it a favorite among business professionals at the time.