Mitac MIO 8390 Full Specs Pricing & ProsCons Unveiled

Overview of the Mitac MIO 8390

The Mitac MIO 8390 was announced in the third quarter of 2003 and has since been discontinued. This device was notable for featuring the Microsoft Smartphone 2003 operating system, aimed at delivering a smartphone experience at a time when the mobile phone industry was making significant transitions towards increased functionality and smarter technology. Despite its discontinuation, it offers an insightful glimpse into the early stages of smartphone development.

Network and Connectivity

The MIO 8390 supports GSM networks and was designed for use with GSM 900, 1800, and 1900 bands. Despite the support for GPRS, it lacks EDGE capabilities, which reflects the earlier stages of mobile internet connectivity. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are not available on this device, which further underscores its simplicity compared to modern smartphones. However, it does feature an infrared port, which was commonly used at the time for data transfer between devices.

Design and Build

In terms of its physical design, the Mitac MIO 8390 measures 99 x 51 x 24 mm, with a weight of 125 grams. It uses a Mini-SIM and has a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 30.2%. The device comes in two color options: dazzling silver and opulent red, presenting a slightly premium feel for its time. Its relatively compact size makes it easy to carry and use, reflecting the standards of early 2000s mobile design.

Display

The device features a 2.2-inch TFT display with 256K colors (effectively displaying 65K colors) and a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels. While not particularly high by today’s standards, it was sufficient for the needs of users at the time, focusing on essential tasks and basic multimedia usage. Its pixel density stands around 128 ppi, which provided decent clarity for text and images in an era where high-definition screens were not yet prevalent.

Performance and Storage

Under the hood, the Mitac MIO 8390 is powered by an Intel PXA262 processor clocked at 200 MHz. It includes 16MB of RAM and 32MB of ROM, which were adequate for running the Microsoft Smartphone 2003 OS, allowing basic multitasking and application usage. The device also supports MMC/SD memory cards, enabling users to expand their storage for additional data and applications.

Camera Capabilities

The MIO 8390 features a single VGA camera with a resolution of 0.3 megapixels. Although it lacks video recording capabilities, the camera suffices for simple photo-taking tasks, capturing moments at a time when camera phones were still a relatively new phenomenon. The selfie camera is absent, keeping the focus primarily on its rear sensor, which aligns with its utility-oriented design.

Sound and Audio

Audio functionalities are limited, with the device lacking a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which means external audio needs had to be catered for through alternative accessories. However, it includes support for vibration, polyphonic, and MP3 ringtones, offering a range of alert options for calls and notifications.

Communication and Features

The Mitac MIO 8390 includes a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser, aligning with early web-browsing technologies that allowed users limited internet access. Despite not hosting advanced connectivity features like GPS or advanced sensors, the presence of the infrared port offered a versatile alternative for short-range data transfers. The device lacks a radio, reflecting its basic multimedia intentions.

Battery Life

Equipped with a removable Li-Po 1050 mAh battery, the MIO 8390 promised a stand-by time of up to 100 hours and a talk time of up to 3 hours. This modest battery life was reflective of the device's limited power demands and was comparable to other contemporaneous mobile phones.

Conclusion

The Mitac MIO 8390 offers a snapshot of the evolution of mobile technology, presenting features that were innovative and practical in 2003. Despite its eventual discontinuation, its contributions to smartphone developments lay in its early adoption of an operating system designed for more than just calls, highlighting the transitional phase of mobile phone technology towards multi-functional smart devices.