Price and specifications of alcatel OT-301 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview of Alcatel OT-301

The Alcatel OT-301, announced in February 2010 and released in September of the same year, represents a snapshot of feature phone technology before the widespread adoption of smartphones. Despite its discontinuation, the phone's characteristics offer valuable insights into the evolution of mobile technology, showcasing simplicity and fundamental functionalities tailored for basic communication needs.

Network Specifications

The Alcatel OT-301 supports GSM technology, specifically operating on the GSM 900 / 1800 bands. It includes GPRS Class 10 for data transmission, although it lacks EDGE support, reflective of its focus on fundamental connectivity rather than advanced data services.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 108 x 46 x 15.3 mm and a weight of only 69 grams, the Alcatel OT-301 is compact and lightweight, making it highly portable. The device accommodates a Mini-SIM, adhering to the standards of the period it was released. Its Steel Grey finish completes its understated yet functional design.

Display Features

The phone is equipped with a 1.5-inch CSTN display supporting 65K colors, providing basic visual feedback suitable for its size. Its resolution stands at 128 x 128 pixels, with a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 14.6%, yielding a pixel density of around 121 ppi. This spec offers limited graphical performance, which is characteristic of devices in this category.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the Alcatel OT-301 is fitted with 2MB of storage capacity, primarily geared towards contacts and call logs with a dedicated microSDHC slot for expanded storage. The phone's phonebook can store up to 500 entries, and it maintains records for 20 dialed, 20 received, and 20 missed calls, catering to basic data management needs.

Camera System

On the back, the OT-301 houses a VGA camera, which provides minimum resolution photographic capability. Notably, this camera does not support video recording, further placing the emphasis on the device’s role as a communication tool rather than a multimedia one.

Audio and Connectivity

The Alcatel OT-301 includes a loudspeaker, but it lacks a 3.5mm audio jack, unconventional by contemporary standards. Connectivity options encompass Bluetooth 2.0 for device pairing and FM radio with RDS for audio entertainment. The device supports charging through a miniUSB port, strictly dedicated to power input.

Software and Applications

Operating on a feature phone platform, the OT-301 provides functionalities for SMS and MMS messaging, accompanied by a WAP 2.0 browser for minimal web exploration. Additionally, the phone features two built-in games, though it does not support Java applications, reflecting its simplicity and limited scope for customization or expansion.

Battery Performance

The phone is powered by a removable Li-Ion 500 mAh battery. It boasts up to 330 hours of standby time and around seven hours of talk time, emphasizing longevity and reliability. Furthermore, it offers up to nine hours of music playback, highlighting its capacity to serve basic entertainment needs.

Conclusion

The Alcatel OT-301 stands as a testament to a time when simplicity governed mobile phone design. With essential features and robust battery life, it catered to users prioritizing fundamental communication capabilities over advanced functionalities. Although now discontinued, its design philosophy still reverberates in markets and demographics valuing practical usability over complexity.