Overview

The Haier N90 is a feature phone that was launched in the second quarter of 2006. As a device from the mid-2000s, it reflects many of the typical characteristics of mobile phones from that era, focusing more on basic communication needs and simplicity rather than the advanced smartphone capabilities we see today. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the Haier N90, covering its specifications, design, performance, and overall user experience.

Design and Build Quality

The Haier N90 has a classic candy-bar design, measuring 104 x 53 x 25.5 mm and weighing in at 120 grams. The device feels robust and solid in hand, which is a testament to its durable construction despite its modest weight. The use of black and silver gives the phone a sleek and modern look for its time, aligning with the aesthetics preferred by many users back then.

The phone is constructed to withstand daily wear and tear, which was a significant selling point for mobile phones in the early 2000s. The use of a Mini-SIM card further reflects the standard practice of that period, aligning with the network technologies available at the time.

Display

The Haier N90 is equipped with a 2.4-inch TFT display that supports 256K colors. With a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels (~117 ppi density), the screen offers a basic visual experience. The screen-to-body ratio stands at about 32.9%, which is quite common for feature phones of that era. Although the display might seem limited by today's standards, it served its purpose well for conveying texts and simple graphics.

Camera Capabilities

The phone features a single 2 MP main camera capable of capturing still images and videos. While it lacks advanced features such as autofocus or flash, the camera provides sufficient capability for casual photography needs. During the time of its release, having a camera on a mobile phone was seen as a valuable feature, despite the modest resolution by contemporary metrics.

Battery Life

One of the key features of the Haier N90 is its battery life. It uses a removable Li-Ion 720 mAh battery, which was standard for mobile phones of that period. The battery offers up to 216 hours of standby time and up to 4 hours of talk time, allowing users a reasonable duration of use between charges. The ability to remove and replace the battery was a convenient feature that is less common in modern smartphones.

Memory and Storage

The phone supports a miniSD card slot, providing users with the ability to expand memory capacity, a consideration that was crucial when phone memory capacities were limited. The phonebook can store up to 1000 entries, and call records can keep track of 20 dialed, received, and missed calls each. Such capacities provided satisfactory options for users to manage their contacts and call history efficiently.

Connectivity

The Haier N90 supports basic connectivity options characteristic of the era. It operates on GSM networks (900/1800 bands) and includes support for GPRS (Class 10) for basic mobile data connectivity. Notably, the phone does not support more modern connectivity options like Bluetooth or WLAN. However, it features an Infrared port, which was used for data exchange between devices in the absence of Bluetooth.

Sound and Multimedia

Regarding sound capabilities, the Haier N90 offers vibration alerts and supports downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. It lacks a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which might limit its appeal to users accustomed to using wired headphones. However, the phone's simplicity in sound functionality aligns with its core focus as a device for communication.

Software and Features

As a feature phone, the Haier N90 does not run on a smartphone operating system. Instead, it comes with pre-installed basic functions such as SMS, MMS, and Email capabilities. Users can also engage with 'Brain Game', the only game available on the device. The lack of a web browser and Java support reflects the primary intent of the device – straightforward and essential mobile communication.

Conclusion

The Haier N90, introduced in 2006, captures the essence of feature phones from that era, prioritizing durability, essential features, and long battery life over advanced functionalities. It serves as a nostalgic reminder of the technological landscape of the mid-2000s. For users seeking simplicity and reliability without the complexities of modern smartphones, the Haier N90 provided an adequate solution during its time. Although discontinued and outdated by today's standards, it's a significant representation of mobile technology's evolution.