Maxon MX7990 Specs Prices Pros & Cons Unveiled

General Overview: Maxon MX-7990

The Maxon MX-7990, announced in 2003, represents an era when mobile phones were primarily designed for basic communication purposes with minimalistic features. This device falls under the category of feature phones, known for their simplicity and long battery life. The MX-7990 is now discontinued, but its legacy in the GSM market is still remembered among early mobile phone users.

Design and Build

The Maxon MX-7990 features a compact build with dimensions of 78 x 37 x 20.5 mm and a light weight of only 67 grams. Its ergonomic design made it highly portable, fitting comfortably in the user's hand or pocket. The device uses a Mini-SIM, which was the standard at the time, providing basic connectivity on GSM networks.

Display

The phone is equipped with a small display that supports up to 65K colors. The screen resolution stands at 128 x 128 pixels, displayed in an 8-line format with a 1:1 aspect ratio. Despite its modest specifications by modern standards, the display was sufficient for navigating through menus and reading text messages.

Network and Connectivity

The Maxon MX-7990 operates on the GSM network with support for 2G bands GSM 900 and 1800. This ensured broad coverage for voice calls in most regions across the globe where GSM infrastructure was available. GPRS functionality is present, allowing for basic data services, though there is no EDGE support. The device lacks advanced connectivity options such as Bluetooth, WLAN, and GPS, which were uncommon at the time in feature phones.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the Maxon MX-7990 doesn't include expandable storage as there is no card slot. The built-in memory accommodates up to 250 phonebook entries, accommodating enough contacts for typical users of the time. Additionally, the device keeps a record of the last 20 received, dialed, and missed calls.

Sound and Multimedia

In terms of audio capabilities, the phone does not come with a loudspeaker or a 3.5mm audio jack. It supports vibration alerts and downloadable polyphonic ringtones, allowing users some degree of customization in their ringtones, which was a popular feature of the era.

Battery Life

The Maxon MX-7990 is powered by a removable Li-Ion 900 mAh battery. This ensured a user-friendly experience with long stand-by times of up to 200 hours and talk time of up to 3 hours. Such battery life was reflective of the device's minimalistic functionalities and the efficiency standards of the time.

User Interface and Software

This device operates on traditional feature phone software, providing functionalities like SMS, EMS, and email. A WAP 1.2.1 browser is available, although web browsing capabilities were extremely limited compared to today's standards. The device supports downloadable games, providing basic entertainment options.

Miscellaneous Features

Additional features include support for SMS and EMS messaging, alongside email, which was advanced for its time. However, it lacks modern features such as sensors or advanced web functionalities. Java support is also not present, which restricted third-party app installations.

Conclusion

The Maxon MX-7990 epitomizes the feature phone era with its simplistic approach to mobile phones. It offered basic functionalities needed for communication during its time. Despite lacking many of the advanced features seen in today’s smartphones, it delivered on durability, battery life, and simplicity. A niche audience that values nostalgia and the basic utility of phones may find interest in devices like the MX-7990. For its time, it was a reliable communication tool paving the way for the evolution of mobile connectivity.