Price and specifications of alcatel OT 311 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

The Alcatel OT 311: A Retrospective Look

The Alcatel OT 311 is a device that hails from a time when mobile phones were primarily used for calls and messages. Released in 2001, this feature phone represents an era before smartphones dominated the market. In this article, we'll take an in-depth look at the specifications, features, and the market impact of the Alcatel OT 311.

Design and Build

The Alcatel OT 311 boasts a compact and lightweight design. With dimensions of 103 x 44 x 24 mm and a weight of just 99 grams, it was quite portable. The phone's size and form factor made it easy to carry in pockets and small bags, which was a significant selling point at the time.

The phone utilized a Mini-SIM, a standard fitting for many devices during the early 2000s. Its monochrome graphic display, which featured a resolution of 96 x 65 pixels, was designed to show essential information and was sufficient for the phone's basic functions.

Display Features

The Alcatel OT 311's display was a monochrome graphic type, focusing on simplicity and functionality over the vibrant color displays that would later become standard. The resolution allowed for six lines of text, providing sufficient space for reading SMS and browsing basic WAP pages.

Network and Connectivity

This device supported GSM 900/1800 bands, which were common during the phone's operational time. However, it lacked support for GPRS or EDGE technologies, which meant internet connectivity was limited to basic WAP 1.1 browsing. The absence of WLAN or Bluetooth was expected at its release, solidifying its position as a simple communication tool rather than a browsing device.

Memory and Storage

The phone had no card slot for expandable storage, which was typical of the time. Nevertheless, it featured a phonebook capacity capable of storing up to 250 contacts, each with three numbers, which was quite adequate for personal use. Additionally, the phone kept records of the last 30 received, dialed, and missed calls.

Battery Life

Equipped with a removable NiMH battery rated at 700 mAh, the Alcatel OT 311 could endure up to 300 hours on standby and provided up to 5 hours of talk time. These figures made it a reliable choice for consumers who needed a phone that could last through a day without requiring frequent recharges.

Sound and Alerts

The sound features of the Alcatel OT 311 included a loudspeaker capable of delivering clear monophonic ringtones. Users could download additional monophonic ringtones to personalize their alerts. Vibration alerts were also available, ensuring users never missed calls or messages in noisy environments, despite the lack of a 3.5mm audio jack for personal listening.

Additional Features

Despite its simplicity, the phone had support for basic SMS and EMS messaging, allowing users to send simple text messages and basic media messages. It included a WAP 1.1 browser for minimal internet interaction, a clock, an alarm feature, and pre-installed games in some versions. It did not support Java applications, limiting it to the default software applications.

Colors and Variants

The Alcatel OT 311 was available in four different colors, giving users some style options, which was an appealing aspect for consumers looking for personalization in their devices.

Conclusion

In retrospect, the Alcatel OT 311 served its purpose effectively for its time. It provided essential communication features with a focus on user-friendliness. As technology has progressed, phones like the OT 311 have become relics of a bygone era, representing the roots of mobile communication. Despite its limitations by today's standards, it was an embodiment of functionality and reliability during its time on the market.