Before smartphones were standardized pieces of glass ten and a half years ago, the mobile industry felt more like an experimental workshop. They differ in terms of design, operating systems, and even what constitutes a “smartphone.” During that clamorous, competitive moment, a Taiwanese gadget known as the E-Ten Glofiish X500 Plus emerged.

The phone appeared straightforward at first, almost subtle. A stylus nestled into the bottom corner, a small touchscreen surrounded by hardware buttons, and a black rectangular body with rounded corners. Holding it for a short while, however, reveals another thing: ambition. This phone attempted to integrate office productivity, multimedia playback, Wi-Fi connectivity, and GPS navigation into a single portable gadget.

That combination felt daring back in 2007. An upgraded version of the Glofiish X500, the X500 Plus was released. When the screen lit up, the primary difference was instantly apparent. The phone had a 2.8-inch VGA screen with 640×480 resolution, which at the time was uncommon for Windows Mobile devices. The additional pixels produced noticeably sharper text and images when compared to the more popular QVGA screens.

There was an interesting response when browsing the device’s web pages or emails. Other phones just didn’t provide that sense of clarity. On maps, street names appeared clear. Details that were typically lost on smaller screens were visible in photos. It’s difficult to ignore E-Ten’s apparent pride in that screen.

However, the screen also presented a silent compromise. The 400 MHz Samsung processor that powers the phone was respectable at the time, but it occasionally found it difficult to handle the demands of the high-resolution display. There were occasions when opening applications required a brief pause. One moment, navigating menus might feel seamless, and the next, it might feel slow.

The amount of work that the VGA screen would require from the processor may have been underestimated by the engineers. It seems like the device is continuously juggling more than it can comfortably handle as you watch the interface switch between screens.

The feature list is still impressive, though. Using the SiRF Star III chipset, the phone has built-in GPS, which was a crucial feature in the late 2000s when satellite navigation was starting to gain popularity. Even indoors, close to a window, the device can lock onto satellites surprisingly fast using the GPS viewer app.

Naturally, the GPS function initially feels more like a demonstration than a complete tool when navigation software is not installed. Instead of showing directions, it shows altitude and coordinates. However, the phone becomes a pocket navigation device when apps like TomTom are installed; previously, this required a separate device that was mounted on the dashboard of a car.

The physical layout seems more functional than fashionable. The phone isn’t exactly small—it’s 113.5 mm tall and roughly 15.5 mm thick—but it fits comfortably in a jacket pocket. The device rarely slips from the hand thanks to its soft-touch black coating.

The edges are lined with buttons that give the impression of thoughtful design. The power and camera keys are on the right, while the volume controls and voice command button are on the left. A microSD card slot at the bottom enables storage expansion without taking the battery out, a minor convenience that subtly enhances daily use.

But typing is a patience exercise. The X500 Plus, like many Windows Mobile phones of the time, does not have a physical keyboard. The on-screen keypad and stylus are used for everything. It’s easy to write brief messages. Emails that are too long can get boring.

However, it is evident that the phone is aimed at professionals. By enabling users to view PowerPoint presentations, edit Word documents, and manage Outlook emails, Windows Mobile 6 effectively transforms the device into a tiny office terminal. With a stylus tapping across the tiny screen while seated in a coffee shop or airport lounge, it’s simple to see how popular this gadget was with business travelers back then.

Options for connectivity support that notion even more. With the phone’s support for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and EDGE data, users can access the internet and download emails without depending solely on mobile networks. Even in 2007, its lack of 3G support caused some concern, but Wi-Fi availability in homes and workplaces helped make up for that drawback.

It seems as though the 2-megapixel camera was an afterthought. In well-lit conditions, it produces usable images, but the quality is rarely impressive. The edges of photos tend to soften, and framing shots can be frustrating due to the outdoor visibility on the screen.

Surprisingly, battery life is good. A full day of moderate activity or several hours of GPS use are supported by the 1530 mAh battery. Given the power requirements of the VGA display and Wi-Fi, that endurance seems reasonable.

The Glofiish X500 Plus’s most notable feature is its feeling of being from a different experimental era. The manufacturers of smartphones were still trying to determine which factors—speed, connectivity, design, or software—were most important. E-Ten appeared intent on attempting everything at once.

The gadget works occasionally. The display is still truly amazing. GPS integration functions effectively. The phone gains personality from the assortment of extra features, which include contact management and business card scanning.

At other times, the limitations are evident. Under pressure, performance deteriorates. The absence of 3G is apparent. Additionally, the stylus-heavy interface already alluded to the impending changes in the sector.

In retrospect, it’s difficult to avoid seeing the Glofiish X500 Plus as a product of a turning point in the history of smartphones. Even though they occasionally made mistakes along the way, gadgets like these pushed the limits of what phones could do.

And there’s still a tinge of curiosity as you watch the screen light up today, icons popping up on that tiny, sharp display. The phone tried a lot of ideas before the rules were written, not because it changed the industry.