Micromax Q3 Specs Price Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview of Micromax Q3

The Micromax Q3 was released in June 2009 and created quite a buzz among feature phone enthusiasts with its unique selling propositions, especially its QWERTY keyboard. The phone was designed as a budget-friendly option targeting users who needed dual-SIM support and a device that navigates seamlessly through calls and messages. Although it has been discontinued, the Q3 remains a classic piece in Micromax's diverse lineup.

Design and Build

The Q3 had a distinctive design for its time, characterized by its compact size and rounded edges. Measuring 111.2 x 61.2 x 13 mm and weighing 97 grams, it was lightweight and easy to hold. Its black color gave it a sleek and professional look. The QWERTY keyboard was one of the most highlighted features, making it attractive to those familiar with quick typing on such keyboards.

Display

Equipped with a 2.2-inch TFT screen displaying 256K colors, the screen's resolution was 176 x 220 pixels, translating to a density of approximately 128 PPI. While the display covered only about 22.4% of the body, its vibrant color reproduction for the time was sufficient for basic phone tasks such as messaging and calling.

Camera

The Micromax Q3 sported a 1.3 MP main camera, which was modest even for its time. The camera allowed users to capture basic photos and video clips, contributing to its utility for users who required fundamental photography capabilities without the quality expectations set by modern smartphones.

Memory and Storage

Internal storage in the Q3 was limited to 10MB, a constraint that underscored its positioning as a simple feature phone. However, the inclusion of a microSD slot provided users the flexibility to expand the storage to accommodate additional files, such as photos and audio clips. The phone's phonebook could store up to 1000 entries, complete with a photocall feature.

Battery Performance

The phone was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery. It provided a standby time of up to 160 hours and a talk time of up to 4 hours, which was fairly standard during the phone's era. This made it suitable for everyday use without frequent charging interruptions.

Network and Connectivity

The Q3 was equipped with GSM technology, supporting 2G bands on the GSM 900 and 1800 frequencies for SIM 1. For casual browsing, it had GPRS Class 10 for internet access, though it lacked EDGE technology. Bluetooth support facilitated basic wireless file transfers between devices, and a proprietary USB port enabled charging and data synchronization.

Multimedia Features

Despite being a feature phone, the Q3 included an FM radio with recording capabilities, enriching the user's multimedia experience. However, it lacked a 3.5mm audio jack, which might have limited headphone compatibility. While not intended for multimedia-heavy usage, it delivered what was expected of a device in its category.

Software and Usability

Running as a feature phone with an unspecified basic operating system, the Micromax Q3 offered a simplistic navigation experience. It supported SMS and MMS messaging, a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser for light browsing activities, and JAVA MIDP 2.0 support for downloadable applications and games, ensuring some level of customization and entertainment.

Market Impact and Legacy

Priced at approximately 30 EUR at launch, the Micromax Q3 positioned itself as an affordable choice for users who desired a practical phone with dual-SIM features and a QWERTY keyboard. Although it is no longer available on the market, its reliability and utility continue to be remembered by users who owned this quintessential feature phone.