Mitac MIO 8870 Comprehensive Review & Insights

Overview of Mitac MIO 8870

The Mitac MIO 8870 is a smartphone that was announced in the fourth quarter of 2004 and has since been discontinued. It stands as an interesting piece of technology from the early days of smartphones, showcasing the gradual evolution of mobile technology. This article delves into the specifications, features, and technological context of the Mitac MIO 8870, providing a comprehensive understanding of this device.

Design and Build

The Mitac MIO 8870's design reflects the typical characteristics of early 2000s mobile devices. With dimensions of 110 x 49 x 21 mm and a weight of 120 grams, it offers a compact form factor that fits comfortably in the hand. The body is built to accommodate a Mini-SIM, which was standard for devices at that time.

Display

The smartphone is equipped with a 2.2-inch TFT display capable of rendering 65,000 colors. While the display size may seem modest compared to contemporary standards, it was relatively typical for its era. The screen resolution is 176 x 220 pixels, providing a pixel density of approximately 128 ppi, which was sufficient for basic phone functionalities and applications of its time.

Performance

At the core of the Mitac MIO 8870 is an Intel PXA262 processor clocked at 200 MHz. It runs on Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 SE Smartphone OS, which was a common operating system for smartphones in the early 2000s. The device includes 32MB of internal storage, and it supports expandable storage via an MMC/SD card slot, accommodating cards up to 1 GB. These specifications suggest that the device was designed for basic smartphone tasks such as calling, messaging, and simple applications.

Camera

Photography on the Mitac MIO 8870 is managed by a VGA main camera, offering a resolution of 0.3 MP. While this is minimal by today’s standards, it was a reasonable feature for phones during that period. The camera is capable of video recording, which added an additional layer of functionality for users who desired more than just still images. However, the device lacks a selfie camera, reflecting the priorities of mobile technology at the time.

Networks and Communication

The Mitac MIO 8870 supports GSM technology, operating on the 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz bands, allowing for widespread connectivity across various regions. It supports GPRS Class 10, facilitating basic internet access and data communication but does not support EDGE technology.

Connectivity and Extras

On the connectivity front, the MIO 8870 is equipped with infrared port functionality, but it lacks modern connectivity options such as WLAN and Bluetooth. The absence of these features today would limit the usability of similar smartphones, but they were acceptable for a device released in 2004. Additionally, it contains a proprietary USB connection for data transfer and charging.

Sound and Alerts

The device offers a built-in loudspeaker, and it supports a variety of alert types including vibration and downloadable polyphonic, MP3, and Hi-Fi ringtones. The absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack means that users were likely required to use proprietary or accessory-driven solutions for personal audio.

Battery Life

The phone is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1050 mAh battery, which provides up to 100 hours of standby time and up to 4 hours of talk time. While it may seem insufficient by modern standards, the battery life was quite adequate for a smartphone that was primarily used for voice calls and messaging at the time.

Market Context and Conclusion

Upon its release, the Mitac MIO 8870 was positioned as an entry-level smartphone, appealing to users interested in experiencing mobile connectivity and basic smartphone functionality. Despite lacking advanced features such as a high-resolution camera, large storage capacity, and modern connectivity options, it fulfilled the basic needs of users during its time. Reflecting on the Mitac MIO 8870 today offers insight into the rapid technological advancements in the mobile industry and underscores how user expectations have evolved with increased demand for multifunctional and highly connected devices.