Alcatel OT363 Unveiling Features Pricing & Performance

Device Overview

The Alcatel OT-363 is a feature phone that made its way into the market in March 2009. With a focus on offering basic functionality, it draws attention with its compact design and utility-oriented features, typical of the devices prevalent before the smartphone boom. Styled simply and designed for user-friendliness, it was a suitable choice for those who needed a mobile for essential communication tasks.

Design and Build

The Alcatel OT-363 is characterized by its small, compact form factor, featuring dimensions of 90.5 x 44.5 x 19.6 mm and a lightweight construction at just 73 grams. This makes it highly portable and easy to handle. It employs a classic clamshell design with a durable plastic body, available in attractive colors such as Titanium Grey, Cherry Red, and Turquoise. The use of a Mini-SIM slot is another reminder of the times, depicting the transitional phase before the emergence of micro and nano-SIM technologies.

Display Characteristics

The device is equipped with a 1.8-inch CSTN display capable of showing up to 65K colors. Although small by today's standards, the screen was adequate for displaying basic menu interfaces and simple graphics. With a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels and an approximate pixel density of 114 ppi, the display provides clear and readable text, despite the lower color and resolution capabilities compared to modern displays.

Network and Connectivity

The Alcatel OT-363 supports GSM 900/1800 bands, suitable for 2G networks. Data browsing capabilities are rudimentary, with GPRS class 10 support but lacking EDGE technology. Bluetooth 2.0 offers basic wireless connectivity, mainly for transferring files or connecting to audio devices. Notably, the phone does not support WLAN or advanced positioning services like GPS. However, FM Radio with RDS and a miniUSB 1.1 port introduce a hint of versatility.

Internal Specifications

Despite its simplicity, the Alcatel OT-363 features a reasonable internal storage capacity of 2MB, which accommodates phonebook contacts and call records. The lack of expandable storage via a card slot is a limitation, confining users to the built-in memory capacity. The phone's contact storage allows for 800 entries, a substantial number for an entry-level device, alongside call record memory for 20 dialed, received, and missed calls. The precise specifications for the RAM and CPU are unspecified, typical for feature phones of this era.

Camera Features

While not designed for photography, the Alcatel OT-363 includes a basic VGA camera with a 0.3 MP sensor. This allows users to take simple still photos, but the lack of any video recording functionality limits its multimedia capabilities. As expected from the time, there is no front-facing camera, making this purely a device for occasional snapshots rather than digital photography.

Audio and Multimedia

The audio setup in the Alcatel OT-363 is straightforward, featuring a loudspeaker for hands-free calls and listening to music through the built-in FM Radio. The absence of a 3.5mm audio jack is a significant drawback for audio enthusiasts wishing to use wired headphones or external speakers. However, reliance on the loudspeaker proves sufficient for basic audio purposes.

Battery Performance

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 650 mAh battery, offering considerable longevity given the minimalist hardware. It can support up to 350 hours of standby time and up to 6 hours of talk time, ensuring reliability over extended periods without frequent recharges. The removable aspect of the battery also simplifies replacement, extending the overall device lifespan.

Software and Usability

Known as a feature phone, the Alcatel OT-363 runs on a proprietary operating system designed to provide essential communication and organizational functions. It supports SMS and MMS messaging, while the WAP 2.0/HTML browser, although limited, offers some level of internet accessibility. The absence of Java support could be considered a software limitation, but the inclusion of two basic games provides minimal entertainment options.

Pricing and Market Position

With an approximate price tag of 50 EUR at launch, the Alcatel OT-363 was positioned as an affordable choice for those seeking a straightforward mobile phone in 2009. Its affordability and essential feature set made it a pragmatic option for users uninterested in the complexities or cost of smartphones, appealing to seniors, children, or as a backup device.

Conclusion

The Alcatel OT-363 stands as a representative of its time—a period preceding modern mobile technology replete with smartphones. Offering basic functionalities and a durable build, it served well for communication on the go. Though it may not compare with today's advanced smartphones, it remains a reminder of simpler technological times when mobile phones were primarily about calls and messages.