Ultimate Guide Mitsubishi M341iM720 Features Pricing & Review

Overview of the Mitsubishi M341i/M720

The Mitsubishi M341i/M720 was a feature phone that marked its presence in the early 2000s during the rise of mobile phone technology. Although it is now discontinued, the phone reflects an era of transition from traditional mobile phones to the more advanced smartphones we know today. With its basic functionalities, it was geared more towards providing robust communication and media handling skills that were innovative at its time.

Design and Build

The Mitsubishi M341i/M720 featured a compact and robust design with dimensions measuring 96 x 47 x 24 mm and a weight of 102 grams, making it a lightweight phone that easily fit into pockets or bags. The build was typical of early 2000s mobile phones, utilizing hard, durable plastics to withstand everyday wear and tear. It used a Mini-SIM card type and had an eye-catching TFT display capable of showing 256K colors.

Display

The phone sported a TFT screen with a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels, and although the exact size was not specified, screens of similar devices during that era varied from small to moderately sized. The display supported 10 lines, which was adequate for navigation through menus and viewing messages. Despite its simplicity, the screen was vivid enough for the graphical needs of the time, including basic gaming and media use.

Camera

The Mitsubishi M341i/M720 featured a VGA main camera, a standard offering for phones around that period, focusing more on functional use rather than high-quality photography. It did not support video recording, which was not uncommon in 2003. While rudimentary by today's standards, the camera was sufficient for basic image capturing and reflected an early step into the growing interest in mobile photography.

Connectivity and Networking

On the connectivity front, the M341i/M720 fell under 2G network technology. It supported GSM 900 / 1800 bands and GPRS Class 8 for data connectivity, yet it did not include EDGE, 3G or 4G capabilities as they were not widely available or common at the time. Infrared was supported for short-range communication, but other wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, WLAN, or GPS positioning were absent from this device. It did not have USB connectivity either, reflecting a period before these technologies became standard in mobile phones.

Memory and Storage

The phone came with an internal storage space of 5MB, a limitation by modern measures but adequate at a time when mobile data usage was considerably lower. It lacked a memory card slot, thus users had to manage with the internal storage available. The phone's memory functionalities included a phonebook capable of storing 255 contacts across six fields, complete with photo call capabilities.

Battery Life

The Mitsubishi M341i/M720 was equipped with a removable Li-Po battery with a standby time of up to 400 hours and a talk time of up to 4 hours. This performance was appreciable for the time, owing to the efficient power consumption of feature phones compared to modern-day smartphones. The option of a removable battery allowed users to easily replace it when needed, extending the potential lifespan of the phone.

Sound and Alerts

Designed for practicality, the phone did not feature a loudspeaker but supported vibration alerts and downloadable polyphonic ringtones such as Midi, MFI, and ADPCM formats. It lacked a 3.5mm audio jack, common in many devices of the time, which aligned with the phone's design focus on streamlined communication features.

Media and Fun

Games were an integral part of early mobile phones, and the Mitsubishi M341i/M720 included demo versions of games like Mox and the ability to download additional ones. The presence of DoJa 1.5, a Java-based environment, allowed basic app execution and diversions through downloadable content. The phone also supported multiple languages, enhancing its usability across various regions.

Messaging and Browser

Communication options were robust, supporting SMS, MMS, and email messaging, making it adaptable for both personal and semi-professional uses. The phone also had a WAP 1.2.1 browser, with an iMode version available on the M341i model. This functionality introduced users to basic web browsing, an innovative feature that would evolve significantly over subsequent years.

Conclusion

The Mitsubishi M341i/M720 is reminiscent of an era where phones served as robust communication tools with a dash of entertainment features. It was designed to meet the essential needs of users in the early 2000s when the mobile industry was exploring new technological advancements. Its limited memory, simplistic camera, and lack of cutting-edge connectivity render it obsolete today; nevertheless, it remains an interesting piece of mobile technology history. Future smartphones would build upon these rudimentary functions to develop increasingly sophisticated technologies. For those nostalgic or simply curious about past devices, the M341i/M720 represents a journey through the evolution of mobile phones.