Price and specifications of alcatel OT-358 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Introduction to Alcatel OT-358

The Alcatel OT-358 is a feature phone introduced to the market in April 2012 and discontinued by September the same year. Despite its brief existence in the ever-evolving mobile landscape, the device offered basic features suitable for users looking for straightforward telecommunication capabilities. Its compact design and essential features made it an attractive choice for users seeking affordability and functionality.

Design and Build

The Alcatel OT-358 is designed with practicality in mind. With dimensions of 106 x 58 x 11.9 mm and a weight of 76 grams, the phone is compact and lightweight. This makes it easy to carry and convenient for everyday use. The device features a QWERTY keyboard, catering to users who prefer physical keys for text input over touchscreens. It is available in three color options: Black, White, and Cherry Red, providing a bit of personalization for its users.

Display

The Alcatel OT-358 is equipped with a 2.0-inch TFT display that supports up to 256K colors. While its screen-to-body ratio is approximately 20.5%, the resolution of 220 x 176 pixels results in a density of about 141 ppi. Although basic by modern standards, this display is sufficient for the phone's intended use as a feature phone, primarily used for calls, texts, and basic apps.

Performance

In terms of processing power, the Alcatel OT-358 runs on a basic 52 MHz CPU. While this may seem underwhelming compared to modern smartphones, it is adequate for the limited functionality offered by feature phones. The device is designed to handle simple tasks like messaging, calling, and accessing basic apps such as a calendar or calculator.

Camera

Photography capabilities are modest with a single VGA camera on the back. Lacking video recording function, this camera serves primarily for basic snapshots. This was typical for feature phones of its time, where the focus was not on high-quality media capture but rather simple communication functions.

Storage and Memory

Internally, the Alcatel OT-358 comes with 0.8MB of storage, which can be expanded using a microSDHC card, a useful feature for users wanting to store additional contacts or messages. The phone also supports maintaining a phonebook and call records, which are vital for management of personal and professional communication.

Network and Connectivity

The network capabilities are limited to GSM technology, supporting 2G bands such as GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900. The device does not support advanced connectivity options like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or GPS. However, it does feature a stereo FM radio with RDS and a microUSB port for charging and data transfer. This minimal connectivity underscores the phone's purpose as a simple communication tool.

Battery Life

The removable Li-Ion 650 mAh battery offers a respectable standby time of up to 450 hours and talk time of up to 6 hours. This battery life efficiency is expected from feature phones due to their limited energy-intensive operations, making the OT-358 reliable for extended use without frequent charging.

Software and Features

Operating as a feature phone, the Alcatel OT-358 offers essential communication tools such as SMS, MMS, and email. It also supports basic Java-free games, and includes a loudspeaker and 3.5mm headphone jack for audio, making it a practical device for both communication and entertainment. The lack of sophisticated sensors and advanced applications aligns with its straightforward goals.

Market Position and Price

Priced around 20 EUR at launch, the Alcatel OT-358 positioned itself as a budget-friendly option, appealing to users needing a secondary phone or a simple device for utilitarian purposes. By providing fundamental mobile functions at a low cost, it met the demand for affordability without excessive features.

Conclusion

The Alcatel OT-358 reflects an era of mobile technology where simplicity and cost-effectiveness were main attractors for a diverse customer base. While discontinued, it remains an example of how mobile devices served basic communicative needs with efficient design and functionality.