Exploring the Samsung SGH-A288 Dual-Screen Clamshell

Samsung SGH-A288

Product Overview

The Samsung SGH-A288 is a landmark dual-screen clamshell (flip) mobile phone released by Samsung Electronics in May 2000. As the first dual-screen GSM handset launched in China, it was derived from Samsung’s CDMA-based SCH-A2000 and tailored for the Chinese market. It pioneered the dual-display design in mainstream 2G devices, letting users check notifications, time, and incoming calls without flipping open the phone—an innovative feature that reshaped consumer expectations for clamshell phones and laid the groundwork for future dual-screen mobile designs. The SGH-A288 combined a compact, lightweight form factor with practical 2G-era features, targeting fashion-conscious users and early adopters seeking convenience and novelty.

Key Hardware Specifications

Component	Details
Form Factor	Clamshell (flip) design; dimensions: 79 × 38 × 23 mm; weight: 77 g; materials: glossy plastic casing with pearlescent finish; color options: Pearl White, Champagne Gold, Silver Gray
Dual-Display Setup	– Internal Main Screen: 64×128-pixel monochrome LCD, pale green backlight, displays up to 4 lines of text (3 active + 1 status bar) plus 1 icon row- External Sub Screen: 64×46-pixel circular monochrome LCD, pale blue backlight, shows time, date, battery level, signal strength, and incoming call ID without opening the flip
Network & Connectivity	GSM 900/1800 dual-band; WAP 1.1 support; EFR (Enhanced Full Rate) and STK (SIM Toolkit) compatibility; no Bluetooth/Wi-Fi/GPRS (standard for 2000-era 2G phones)
Memory & Storage	Phonebook: 229 entries (6 numbers per entry); SMS storage: limited by SIM capacity; no expandable storage; 175-second voice recording storage for voice memo/voice answer
Battery & Power	Removable Li-Ion battery (approx. 500 mAh); standby time: up to 80–100 hours; talk time: up to 3–4 hours; standard 2-pin charger; no fast charging
Input & Controls	T9 predictive text input (Pinyin, stroke); physical keypad with tactile feedback; side volume keys; dedicated call/end buttons
Sensors	Basic sensors: vibration motor, ambient light sensor (for backlight control), proximity sensor (for flip-open call activation)

Core Features & Functionality

1. Communication & Messaging

Phonebook: 229 contacts with multi-number storage and 20 voice dialing entries.
Messaging: SMS support with cell broadcast; 5 custom ringtone groups for caller ID.
Voice Features: 175-second voice recording for memos/voice answering; voice commands for hands-free operation.
Call Management: Call time alerts, call waiting, and built-in voice mail integration.

2. Customization & Entertainment

Audio: 30 preloaded polyphonic ringtones + 3 user-customizable tones; vibrate alert option.
Games: 11 built-in classic games (e.g., Snake, Tetris, Blackjack, Racing, Shooting); some regional variants ship with 8 games.

3. Personal Productivity Tools

Clock, alarm, calendar, calculator, world clock, and scheduler for daily organization.

Market Impact & Legacy

Dual-Screen Pioneering: As China’s first dual-screen GSM phone, it set a trend for clamshell phones to integrate external quick-view displays, a feature later adopted by Nokia, Motorola, and others.
Design Influence: Its ultra-lightweight (77 g) and compact size became a benchmark for early 2000s flip phones, balancing portability and usability.
User Convenience: The external sub screen eliminated the need to flip open the phone for basic info, enhancing daily usability and driving consumer demand for “always-visible” status displays.
Pricing & Positioning: Launched at approx. CNY 7,000–8,000 (2000), targeting premium mid-range users; discontinued around 2002 with the rise of GPRS-enabled phones.

Historical Context & Discontinuation

Discontinued in 2002 as 2.5G GPRS phones (e.g., Nokia 6610) gained traction, offering faster data and richer features. Today, it is a sought-after collector’s item for mobile tech history enthusiasts.

The SGH-A288 was a GSM adaptation of Samsung’s Korean CDMA SCH-A2000, tailored for global markets where GSM dominated.

It helped Samsung establish a reputation for design innovation in China’s emerging mobile market, paving the way for later hits like the D508 and E848 series.