Mitsubishi Trium Astral A Comprehensive Review of Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Design and Build Quality

The Mitsubishi Trium Astral was designed with functionality in mind, reflecting the typical design language of feature phones in the late 1990s. With dimensions of 132 x 49 x 29 mm and weighing 149 g, the device had a robust and durable feel. The phone sported a mini-SIM slot, which was common at the time, allowing for easy connectivity on GSM networks.

Display

The display of the Trium Astral featured a monochrome graphic screen that could display between 5 to 25 characters in its resolution. As color screens were not yet widespread, this type of display was typical for mobile phones of that era. The screen, while basic by today's standards, provided sufficient clarity for reading text messages and navigating the phone's menu.

Network and Connectivity

Operating on GSM 900/1800 bands, the Trium Astral was limited in its connectivity capabilities. It did not support GPRS or EDGE technologies which meant no internet connectivity, aligning with its status as a feature phone. Additionally, features such as WLAN, Bluetooth, GPS, radio, or USB connections were absent, focusing on core telephony functions instead.

Memory and Storage

The phone came with a moderate phonebook capacity of storing up to 100 contacts. It included provisions for storing call records, specifically 10 dialed calls, 5 received calls, and 5 missed calls. However, there was no card slot for memory expansion, meaning users had limited space and had to manage their contacts and records carefully.

Sound and Alerts

Sound capabilities were limited to monophonic ringtones, which were common before the advent of polyphonic and MP3 tones. There was no loudspeaker or 3.5mm jack, which meant audio output was only through the phone's earpiece. The alert system was straightforward, with basic ringtone and vibration alerts to notify users of incoming calls and messages.

Battery Life

The Trium Astral was powered by a removable NiMH 900 mAh battery. It offered up to 150 hours of stand-by time and around 3 hours of talk time. While these specifications might seem underwhelming now, they were sufficiently competitive for devices of its time. The removable nature of the battery allowed users to replace it easily if it lost charge capacity over time.

Messaging and Other Features

As a feature phone, messaging on the Mitsubishi Trium Astral was limited to SMS. The absence of advanced features such as a browser or email capabilities highlighted its functionality as a communications device. It lacked modern amenities like games, but the phone supported multiple languages, up to 8, to cater to different markets. The phone did not include clocks or alarms, features that are now standard in most mobile devices.

Release and Discontinuation

Announced in 1999, the Trium Astral had a brief lifespan in the rapidly evolving mobile phone market. It was eventually discontinued as newer, more advanced devices took over with better technology, more features, and enhanced connectivity. The Astral remains a representation of the transitional phase in mobile telephony, bridging the gap between basic analog phones and the upcoming generation of digital mobile devices.

Conclusion

The Mitsubishi Trium Astral is a significant part of mobile phone history, illustrating the state of technology and user needs at the time. It served its purpose well as a communications tool, with design and functionality that reflect the priorities of the late 1990s. While it lacks many features we take for granted today, it paved the way for future innovations in mobile technology.