Ericsson R310s Unveiling Specs Pros Cons & Pricing

Introduction to Ericsson R310s

The Ericsson R310s stood out in the early 2000s as a distinctive mobile phone that catered to a niche market segment looking for robust and reliable devices. Known widely for its rugged design and durability, this device made a mark as one of the first attempts to create a phone that could withstand tough environmental conditions.

Design and Body

The design of the Ericsson R310s is iconic for its time, featuring dimensions of 131 x 53 x 25 mm and weighing 173 grams. Its most distinctive physical characteristic is the rubber-covered sides and a prominent antenna, designed to withstand both dust and moisture. The phone was notably available in striking colors like Bright Orange, Nautic Blue, Aquatic Green, and Peak Yellow, contributing to its rugged aesthetic.

Display Characteristics

Equipped with a monochrome graphic display, the Ericsson R310s offered a straightforward interface by today's standards, showing only 5 lines of text at a time. Despite its simplicity, the screen was sufficient for the phone’s main functions, which focused heavily on making calls and sending SMS.

Network and Connectivity

The Ericsson R310s operated on GSM 900/1800 technology, a standard of its time ensuring decent coverage within supported regions. However, it didn’t support GPRS or EDGE, limiting its data connectivity capabilities. This phone was designed mainly with voice communication in mind, utilizing a GSM system that was reliable and widely recognized across many parts of the world back then.

Battery Performance

Powering the R310s is a removable NiMH battery with a capacity of 540mAh, which, while modest, granted the phone an impressive stand-by time of up to 160 hours and talk time exceeding 6 hours. This was commendable for its era, as users could depend on it to last throughout the day without constant recharging.

Sound and Alerts

Sound notifications on the R310s were limited to vibration and monophonic ringtones. It lacked a loudspeaker and headphone jack which were not uncommon for mobile phones at the time, emphasizing its design focused on durability rather than multimedia functions.

Memory and Storage

The phone stored contact information in its phonebook, capable of holding up to 99 entries. There was no memory card slot, and thus no expandable storage; this highlights the R310s’s primary purpose as a communication device rather than a storage medium.

Durability Features

Durability was one of the main selling points of the Ericsson R310s. Its robust casing and protective features made it particularly popular among outdoor enthusiasts and professionals whose work required them to be in harsh environments. The rubber casing and the phone’s resilience to elements such as rain and dust were ahead of their time, setting a precedent for what would later emerge as the "rugged phone" market segment.

User Interface

Continuing with its utilitarian approach, the R310s was equipped with essential interface features such as SMS messaging capabilities, an alarm clock, and a standard clock function. There were no advanced browsing capabilities or additional applications; this minimalistic approach emphasized straightforward communication and reliability.

Conclusion

The Ericsson R310s's legacy as a robust, reliable mobile device stands strong decades after its release. While it might not offer the myriad of features seen in today's smartphones, it perfectly encapsulated the early 2000s vision of a mobile device designed for dependability, endurance, and simplicity. It catered to users who needed a phone that could survive the rigors of daily life and challenging environments, paving the way for future advancements in rugged mobile technology.