BenQ P31 Ultimate Guide to Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of the BenQ P31

The BenQ P31 is a discontinued smartphone that was announced in the first quarter of 2004. It features a design typical of early 2000s mobile phones, encapsulating a blend of utility and style with its dimensions of 118 x 52 x 17 mm and a weight of 150 grams. A highlight of the device is its integration of Symbian 7.0 as its operating system, with a UIQ v2.1 UI skin. The device was crafted to meet early smartphone needs, focusing on core functionalities like calling, basic internet browsing, and multimedia capabilities.

Network Capabilities

The BenQ P31 supports GSM technology, operating on 2G bands including GSM 900, 1800, and 1900. This made it a competent device for global connectivity at the time, catering to users who needed widespread network coverage. Although it lacked EDGE technology for faster data speeds, its Class 10 GPRS provided satisfactory internet speeds for browsing and downloads back in the day.

Display

The device sports a TFT resistive touchscreen capable of displaying 65K colors. This was a standard offering for smartphones in its era. The screen resolution of 208 x 320 pixels delivered decent clarity. The absence of specifications on display size suggests many users were content with the visual layout, which focused more on functionality than the high-definition displays we see today.

Platform

Under the hood, the BenQ P31 runs on a TI OMAP V1030 chipset with a 144 MHz CPU. This hardware configuration was suitable for running the Symbian 7.0 operating system, providing a smooth experience for basic applications and system operations. The choice of Symbian OS signified its compatibility with a wide range of applications developed in early mobile computing.

Memory and Storage

The device features a card slot for SD/MMC cards, offering expandable storage which was crucial given the limited onboard storage capacities typical of devices from this period. The inclusion of expandable storage was a welcome attribute for users needing extra space for multimedia files and applications.

Camera

The main camera is a single 1.3 MP shooter capable of recording video. While the camera specifications are modest by today's standards, they were quite adequate for capturing basic snapshots and videos during its time. The absence of a selfie camera reflects the period's focus on rear-camera functionalities.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion battery with a capacity of 760mAh, the BenQ P31 provides a standby time of up to 120 hours and talk time of up to 5 hours. This was satisfactory for a typical day's use, where battery life was more predictable due to the simpler hardware and software demands of the era.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The BenQ P31 accommodates Bluetooth 1.1, infrared port, and a proprietary USB connection, facilitating data sharing and connectivity with peripherals. A lack of WiFi and GPS positioning reflects the technological limits of contemporary mobile tech trends. The WAP 2.0/xHTML browser allowed for basic internet access, intended mainly for viewing mobile-friendly websites.

Sound and Multimedia

Offering a loudspeaker and downloadable polyphonic ringtones, the BenQ P31 provided average sound capabilities. The absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack indicated limited options for personal audio, guiding users towards proprietary accessories or alternative solutions.

Design and Build Quality

The BenQ P31's physical design, comprising a mini-SIM slot and body colored in various hues (unlisted here), offers a glimpse into the aesthetic preferences and manufacturing trends of the early 21st century. The phone's form factor and button layout were engineered for practicality, aiming to provide a balanced user experience in an era of rapid mobile technology evolution.