Comprehensive Review of Motorola Accompli 388 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Design and Build Quality

The Motorola Accompli 388 was introduced with dimensions that reflect the design trends of early 2000s mobile devices. The device measures 98 x 58 x 24 mm, and weighs 130 g, making it relatively compact and easy to carry at the time. Its build was robust, featuring a compact form factor that fits comfortably in the hand. The use of a monochrome graphic screen was typical for mobile phones at the time, although it offered a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. The device utilized a Mini-SIM setup, which was standard from the period.

Display

The display of the Motorola Accompli 388 was a monochrome graphic screen. While full-color displays were beginning to emerge, monochrome screens were still prevalent due to their affordability and energy efficiency. The screen allowed for 8 lines of text or graphics, formatted in a 4:3 ratio. It provided users with the essential visual feedback required for navigation through the menu, reading messages, and other basic handset tasks.

Platform and Performance

In terms of hardware, the Accompli 388 was powered by a 33 MHz processor. This was sufficient for running the feature phone operating system, as well as the basic apps and functionalities that came with the phone. The device did not support advanced multitasking capabilities, but it competently handled the essential features for which it was designed.

Memory

The Motorola Accompli 388 was equipped with 2MB of internal storage and an additional 8MB RAM. This was adequate for storing basic applications, phonebook entries, call records, and messages. The phonebook could store up to 1000 contacts, and call logs for 20 dialed, 20 received, and 20 missed calls. However, the absence of an external card slot meant that users could not expand storage. Memory management was crucial for efficient device performance.

Network and Connectivity

The device supported GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 2G bands, suitable for basic voice and text communication. Although GPRS Class 4 was available, it wasn't capable of high-speed data transmission. It didn't support EDGE networks, WiFi, or Bluetooth connectivity. However, it did come with an infrared port which was a common method for wireless transfers at the time. The inclusion of a proprietary USB port allowed for wired connection with PCs and other devices.

Communication Features

The Accompli 388 allowed for basic communication through SMS, Email, and EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service). This was significant at a time when mobile communications were evolving and text messaging was hugely popular. The built-in WAP 1.2.1 browser enabled limited mobile internet access, mainly used for browsing WAP sites designed for small screens.

Sound

In terms of audio, the Accompli 388 did not include a loudspeaker or a 3.5mm headphone jack. It supported monophonic ringtones and had a composer with a piano keyboard for creating custom ringtones. The absence of media playback capabilities like MP3 tunes was typical for feature phones of its era.

Battery Life

For power, the Motorola Accompli 388 utilized a removable Li-Ion 800 mAh battery. The battery provided up to 145 hours of standby time and up to 4.5 hours of talk time. This was fairly standard and provided sufficient lifespan between charges for typical phone usage patterns of the time, especially given the low power demands of feature phones.

Entertainment and Additional Features

Despite its limited hardware capabilities, the Motorola Accompli 388 included some pre-installed games such as Wu Zi Qi, Sokoban, and Black Jack, which offered simple yet engaging entertainment. Furthermore, supporting Java allowed for basic application development and gaming on the platform. However, it did not feature dedicated alarm capabilities, limiting the device’s utility in this regard.

Legacy

The Motorola Accompli 388 provides an insightful look into the early 2000s mobile phone market. While it does not match the capabilities of modern smartphones, it played an important role in the evolution of mobile communications. With straightforward features like robust build quality, basic monochrome displays, and essential messaging applications, the Accompli 388 was typical of the devices that many first-time mobile phone users would have experienced.