Dell Mini 3i Comprehensive Specs Pricing and Insights

Overview and Launch

The Dell Mini 3i was announced in November 2009 and subsequently released in December of the same year. It was an early entry into the smartphone market for Dell, a company traditionally known for its PCs and laptops. The device was targeted at the Chinese market, aiming to capture consumer interest with its unique design and features.

Design and Build

The Dell Mini 3i features dimensions of 122 x 58.4 x 11.7 mm, making it relatively compact for its time. Weighing only 102 grams, it is quite lightweight, allowing for comfort in portability. The device supported a Mini-SIM and came in two appealing color options: Passion Red and Oiled Bronze.

Display

Sporting a 3.5-inch TFT screen with 256K colors, the Dell Mini 3i offered a resolution of 360 x 640 pixels. The approximately 210 ppi screen density provided a modest visual experience. Despite the relatively low screen-to-body ratio of 47.4%, the clearly defined 16:9 aspect ratio was designed to provide a decent viewing angle for multimedia content.

Platform and Performance

The Mini 3i operated on the OPhone OS, a derivative of the Android platform, developed in collaboration with China Mobile. Although the specific details regarding the processor and RAM are not documented, the device was designed for everyday tasks typical of early smartphones.

Memory and Storage

The internal storage of the Dell Mini 3i was limited to 256 MB, but it did feature a dedicated microSDHC slot, allowing for expandable storage. The phone reportedly came with a 4 GB card included, giving users additional space for their applications and media.

Camera

On the photography front, the Dell Mini 3i was equipped with a 3.15 MP rear camera featuring autofocus. While basic by today’s standards, it was capable of capturing adequate photos for users not overly concerned with professional image quality. A video recording feature was also included, although there was no front-facing camera for selfies or video calls.

Connectivity and Communications

The Dell Mini 3i supported GSM/2G bands (850/900/1800/1900), allowing for a broad range of mobile network compatibility. However, it lacked WLAN capability, relying instead on Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless data transfer. USB connectivity was facilitated via a miniUSB 2.0 port. Although it lacked FM radio, the device did offer GPS and A-GPS for navigation services.

Sound and Multimedia

The device included a loudspeaker but did not come with a 3.5mm headphone jack, which was a minor limitation in terms of audio peripherals. Multimedia capabilities were further enhanced by typical smartphone features such as an HTML browser for internet surfing.

Sensors and Additional Features

Sensors included an accelerometer and a proximity sensor, reflecting a decent level of interactivity for the device at the time. These sensors played a role in playing certain types of mobile games as well as in adjusting the screen orientation and managing calls by proximity detection.

Battery Life

The Mini 3i was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery. Its battery life was estimated at up to 423 hours on standby and approximately 7 hours and 20 minutes of talk time, which was sufficient for sustaining daily use without frequent charging.

Price and Market Position

Upon its release, the Dell Mini 3i was priced at about 230 EUR. Although the device has since been discontinued, it held a place as a competitive entry in the nascent smartphone market at the time.

Conclusion

In summary, the Dell Mini 3i stood as an early attempt by Dell to mark its footprint in the smartphone industry. It offered a basic feature set that catered to the needs of consumers at the time, especially those new to smartphones, and was a noteworthy stepping stone in the evolution of mobile technology.