Unveiling the Motorola C261 Specs Prices and Insights

Overview

The Motorola C261, launched in the third quarter of 2005, is a classic feature phone that epitomizes the mobile technology of its time. Known for its simplicity and functional design, the device appealed largely to those who preferred a straightforward and user-friendly interface with basic features. Although the device is now discontinued, it remains memorable for those who appreciate retro technology.

Design and Build

The Motorola C261 exudes a classic mobile phone design, marked by its compact and ergonomic build. The device measures 109.9 x 49.9 x 14.9 mm, which provides a comfortable grip, making it easy to hold and operate with one hand. Weighing just 91 grams, it was considered lightweight during its time, further enhancing its portability.

Its body, crafted with a durable plastic casing, was aimed at providing resilience against daily wear and tear. The C261 opts for a minimalistic black color, reflecting a design ethos that prioritizes simplicity and elegance.

Display

The C261 is equipped with a TFT display capable of showing 65,000 colors. While its size isn’t specified, it features a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels, delivering reasonable clarity given the era. The screen performance was adequate for basic functionalities like reading messages, viewing contact lists, and navigating the phone’s menu.

Camera

For capturing memories, the Motorola C261 offers a single VGA camera positioned at the rear. With a resolution of 0.3 MP, the camera provides a means for basic photography, sufficient for capturing simple and quick snapshots. It’s important to note the absence of video recording capabilities, which aligns with the device’s design as a feature phone.

Battery Life

The C261 is powered by a removable Li-Ion 820 mAh battery, a highlight of its practicality. Users could expect a standby time of up to 280 hours and a talk time of up to 7 hours and 30 minutes. This considerable battery performance made the phone reliable for all-day usage without frequent recharging.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the Motorola C261 holds 5MB of storage. This space caters to basic functionalities like storing contacts, messages, and downloaded ringtones. However, it lacks a card slot, thereby limiting expandability for users who desired more storage space. It supports a phonebook capacity of 100 entries, along with call records for 10 dialed, 10 received, and 10 missed calls.

Network and Connectivity

Operating on GSM technology, the C261 supports GSM 900/1800 bands, allowing for basic voice and messaging services. It includes GPRS Class 8 for minimal data usage but lacks more modern connectivity options like WLAN, Bluetooth, and USB. Furthermore, the device does not feature a 3.5mm headphone jack or radio, emphasizing its core focus on communication rather than multimedia.

Messaging and Browser

The phone supports SMS, EMS, and MMS, providing users with varied messaging options. Its built-in WAP 2.0/xHTML browser caters to basic internet browsing, a limitation aligned with the lack of advanced network capabilities.

Ringtones and Sound

The Motorola C261 supports vibration and downloadable polyphonic ringtones, providing adequate customization for notifications. It includes a loudspeaker but does not support external audio connectivity, such as a 3.5mm audio jack or Bluetooth audio devices.

Games and Entertainment

Despite its simplicity, the C261 offers basic gaming options. The absence of Java support indicates limited gaming and application expansion, yet this does not detract from its foundational role as a communication tool.

Conclusion

The Motorola C261 represents the quintessence of early 2000s mobile phones, reflecting a time when designs were focused on straightforwardness and essential communication features. It serves as a reminder of an era where phones were primarily used for talking and texting. At an approximate original retail price of about 50 EUR, it stands as a symbol of the accessible technology of its time, now cherished by fans of vintage mobile devices.