Motorola C118 Comprehensive Review Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of Motorola C118

The Motorola C118 was launched in the third quarter of 2005 and represented a basic, functional mobile phone that catered primarily to those seeking reliability and simplicity. Discontinued now, this device remains a nostalgic memory of the times when phones were primarily used for calling and messaging. Its straightforward design and features made it a go-to choice for users who wanted a break from the complexity of modern smartphones.

Design and Build

The Motorola C118 featured a compact and sturdy design that measured 101.3 x 45.7 x 21.5 mm and weighed only 86 grams. Its lightweight nature, combined with its durable build, made it easy to carry around and resilient to day-to-day handling. The phone sports a minimalist look with a monochrome graphic display that offers a resolution of 96 x 64 pixels, which was adequate for the time, providing users with a clear and sufficient interface to manage basic operations.

Display

The display of the Motorola C118 is monochrome, supporting the minimalistic philosophy of its design. It has a resolution of 96 x 64 pixels, which was typical for a phone of its caliber during its launch period. This display was bright enough for indoor use, and the absence of colored graphics was a non-issue, as color displays were not common in budget handsets of that era.

Battery and Power

Equipped with a removable Li-Ion 920 mAh battery, the Motorola C118 was built to last. The battery's longevity was one of its standout features, allowing for up to 450 hours of standby time and approximately 11 hours and 40 minutes of talk time. This made the device highly reliable, especially for users who needed a phone that could go days without charging.

Network and Connectivity

The Motorola C118 operated on GSM technology, supporting 2G bands GSM 900 and 1800. It did not offer high-speed internet connectivity, such as GPRS or EDGE, focusing solely on voice and text communications. The minimal connectivity options encapsulated the purpose of the phone as a straightforward communication device.

Memory and Storage

As a feature phone, the Motorola C118 offered no memory card slot and was limited to SIM-based phonebook storage. Users could store call records directly on the device but were restricted to a small capacity that included 10 dialed, 10 received, and 10 missed calls. The lack of extensive storage options further highlighted its role as a basic communication phone without multimedia features.

Sound and Alerts

The phone did not feature a loudspeaker, limiting its auditory performance to direct earpiece use. Alert types included vibration and monophonic ringtones, with a built-in composer for creating custom tones. This simplicity was common in entry-level phones, as entertainment features were not the central focus.

Additional Features

Motorola C118 incorporated a few additional features suited for its basic usage. It had the capacity to send and receive SMS, a crucial function for staying connected through text messaging. The phone also came preloaded with a simple game, "Football", which provided a basic source of entertainment without Java support for additional games or applications.

Price and Market Position

At launch, the Motorola C118 was priced at approximately 40 EUR, making it an affordable option for users seeking a no-frills mobile device. This reasonable pricing aligned with its simple feature set, appealing to users who needed a basic communication tool without the complexity and cost associated with more advanced phones.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Motorola C118 was a product of its time, epitomizing the mobile industry’s desire to cater to a wide range of users by offering simple, reliable phones. Its role as a basic communication device was effective during its era, appealing to users who valued long battery life, ease of use, and affordability over advanced functionality or fast connectivity. The Motorola C118 remains an iconic representation of early 2000s technology, reminding us of a period before the smartphone revolution took center stage in our lives.