Amoi A90 Unveiling Specs Pros Cons and Pricing

Overview

The Amoi A90 is a vintage feature phone that hit the market in 2004, an era when mobile technology was focused on compact design and basic telecommunication features. At that time, users primarily sought reliable call and text functionalities, with minimal additional features. The Amoi A90, although discontinued now, serves as an interesting device to study, as it encapsulates the spirit of early mobile phone development.

Design and Build

The Amoi A90 was designed with a compact and lightweight body, weighing only 83 grams and measuring 86 x 44 x 21 mm. The design philosophy of this phone aligns with the trends of the early 2000s, prioritizing portability and ease of use. Its Mini-SIM card slot and simple keypad layout make it easy for users to handle daily communication tasks. The phone's exterior, while not designed to withstand rough conditions, provides reasonable durability for its time.

Display

Featuring a color graphics display capable of showcasing 4K colors, the Amoi A90's screen was competitive for its time. The screen resolution of 128 x 160 pixels delivered relatively clear visibility for both text and simple graphics. Although the display size is not specified, the focus was clearly on providing adequate clarity for basic tasks such as reading messages and navigating menus.

Network Capabilities

The Amoi A90 supports GSM technology, with 2G bands operating on GSM 900, 1800, and 1900 frequencies. This capability enabled it to provide basic voice and text messaging services. Moreover, with a GPRS class rating of 10, it offered modest speed for data transmission, suitable enough for WAP browsing and email functions at that time. Notably, the absence of EDGE technology indicates limited data transmission capabilities, which reflects the technological constraints of that period.

Storage and Memory

The phonebook in Amoi A90 can store up to 500 contacts, which was a substantial capacity at the time. Each contact could have up to 8 fields of information, allowing users to include essential details. However, it lacks expandable storage options, typical of feature phones from that era. The call record functionality allowed storage of up to 10 dialed, received, and missed calls respectively, making it functional for users needing to keep track of recent activity.

Sound and Alerts

The Amoi A90 comes with downloadable polyphonic ringtones, giving users the chance to personalize the auditory alerts on their devices. The absence of a loudspeaker and 3.5mm audio jack reflects the minimalistic approach to sound capabilities, prioritizing basic vibration and ring alert types instead.

Communication and Connectivity

The absence of a WLAN, Bluetooth, GPS, and radio highlight the Amoi A90's restrictive communication features. It represents the straightforward communication approach before wireless convenience became standard. However, it still supported SMS, MMS, and email functions, making it sufficiently equipped for simple messaging needs.

Battery and Power Management

Equipped with a removable Li-Ion 550 mAh battery, the Amoi A90 offered a standby time of up to 90 hours and a talk time of up to 3 hours. These specs reflect the energy efficiency of the phone, designed to meet the basic usage needs of users without frequent recharging.

Additional Features

The device supported WAP 1.2.1 for browsing, which was a prevalent mobile internet service at the time. Moreover, it came with 5 pre-installed games, with additional games being downloadable, offering some entertainment value. The absence of Java support limited the complexity of downloadable applications and games, focusing mainly on simple, lightweight functionalities.

Market Status and Conclusion

Originally announced and released in 2004, the Amoi A90 has since been discontinued. Despite that, it remains a noteworthy reference for the development of feature phones. Its combination of compact design, basic functionality, and simple connectivity options represents an era of communication technology that laid the foundation for more advanced devices in later years. For enthusiasts and collectors of mobile technology history, the Amoi A90 stands as a testament to the humble yet reliable beginnings of personal mobile communication devices.