Huawei A616: A Look at Huawei’s First Mobile Phone

Huawei A616 (2003) – English Detailed Specifications

The Huawei A616 (2003) is Huawei’s first mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handy – phone System) clamshell feature phone launched in November 2003, marking Huawei’s official entry into the consumer mobile device market. It focuses on basic voice communication and simple daily functions, targeting cost – effective PHS users in the early 2000s.

Basic Information

Release Date: Announced and released in November 2003 (Huawei’s first mobile phone)
Model Number: Huawei A616 (PHS)
Form Factor: Clamshell (flip) design; physical keypad; external monochrome status display
Dimensions & Weight: 72.5 × 37.5 × 20.6 mm; 56 g
Color Options: Silver
Build: Plastic body; glossy front panel; textured back for grip
Target Audience: Entry – level PHS users, budget – conscious consumers, and users seeking basic communication devices

Hardware & Display

Category	Details
Display	Internal monochrome screen (text – only, no color); external monochrome status display (shows signal, battery, time)
Battery	Removable Li – ion 400 mAh; 2 – pin charger port- Talk time: Up to 360 minutes (6 hours)- Standby time: 100–300 hours
Memory	Basic built – in memory for contacts and SMS (no expandable storage; no memory card slot)
Keypad & Input	Physical numeric keypad; T9 predictive text input (Chinese stroke, Pinyin; English)

Communication & Features

Network & Connectivity

Network: PHS (Personal Handy – phone System) only (1900 MHz band, China – specific); no GSM/CDMA support
Connectivity: No Bluetooth, Wi – Fi, or data connectivity (voice and SMS only)
Call Features: Call waiting, call forwarding, call holding, caller ID, conference calling (up to 3 parties)
Messaging: Supports Chinese and English SMS (text messages only; no MMS)

Core Functions

Category	Details
Contacts	Up to 200 – entry phonebook; contact groups; caller ringtone ID
Ringtones	Polyphonic ringtones (16 – chord); downloadable ringtones (via PHS data service, limited)
Personal Tools	Clock, alarm, calendar, calculator, stopwatch, built – in simple game (e.g., Snake – like)
Extra Features	Built – in vibration; keypad lock; low – battery alert; signal strength indicator

Multimedia & Extras

Market Significance: As Huawei’s debut mobile phone, it laid the foundation for Huawei’s subsequent expansion in the mobile device market, especially in the carrier – customized and entry – level segments

Multimedia: No camera, no MP3 player, no FM radio (voice – only device)

Standard Package: 400 mAh Li – ion battery, wall charger, user manual