Motorola C300 Features Pricing Pros & Cons Uncovered

Introduction to Motorola C300

The Motorola C300 is a mobile phone that was released in the early 2000s, specifically announced in September 2002. It is a device that belongs to the feature phone category and represents the era when mobile phones began to gain popularity among a broader audience. In a time when smartphones were not as ubiquitous as they are today, the Motorola C300 was considered a reliable communication tool. With basic functionalities and a simple, user-friendly interface, it served the essential needs of making calls and sending messages.

Design and Build

The Motorola C300 sports a compact design with dimensions of 106 x 44 x 16 mm (4.17 x 1.73 x 0.63 in) and weighs just 82 grams (2.89 oz). Its lightweight and small size made it easy to carry in pockets or bags, enhancing its portability. The phone uses a Mini-SIM card and features a classic-looking monochrome graphic display. The screen resolution of 98 x 64 pixels accommodates five lines of text in a 3:2 ratio, making it sufficient for basic viewing needs.

Display Characteristics

The display on the C300 is monochrome, which was common for phones from this era. This type of display is known for its low power consumption and clarity under direct sunlight, although it lacks the color and vibrancy of contemporary screens. The display size is modest, focusing on functionality and essential information display rather than entertainment or multimedia capabilities.

Memory and Storage

The Motorola C300 comes with 128 KB of internal storage, which is limiting by today’s standards but was typical for feature phones at the time. There is no card slot available for memory expansion, which means users were limited to the internal memory for storing contacts and messages. The phonebook capacity allows for storing up to 100 contacts, while call records support 10 dialed, 10 received, and 10 missed calls.

Communication and Networking

The C300 supports GSM technology, operating on 2G bands (GSM 900 / 1800). However, it does not support GPRS or EDGE, making it primarily a voice and SMS communication device without any internet or data capabilities. This focus on essential communication functions fits well with the needs of users during the early 2000s.

Sound and Alerts

In terms of audio, the Motorola C300 does not come with a loudspeaker or a 3.5mm headphone jack, which means personal audio listening options are not available. The phone provides alert types including vibration and downloadable monophonic ringtones, along with a composer feature, giving users some personalization options for their alerts.

Battery Life and Power Management

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 600 mAh battery (model number 77596), which can last up to 120 hours on standby and up to 5 hours of talk time. The efficient use of energy is a result of the monochrome display and limited feature set, allowing the phone to perform well on a smaller battery compared to modern phones with color screens and more demanding applications.

Additional Features

Despite being a simple feature phone, the Motorola C300 comes with some useful features. These include SMS and EMS messaging capabilities, a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser, and the ability to handle predefined games such as "Answer" and "Numbers." It also supports multiple languages, with a total of 16 primary and 11 additional languages available. Although it lacks modern-day connectivity options like Bluetooth, WLAN, and positioning, it was well-equipped for its time in terms of basic communication functions.

Conclusion

The Motorola C300 holds a nostalgic value for those who experienced the early days of mobile communication. As a device designed for straightforward communication without the frills of today’s smartphones, it serves as a reminder of how mobile technology has evolved. It encapsulates the era of mobile phones when the primary objective was reliable calling and messaging functionalities. While it lacks many features we take for granted today, the C300 was an integral part of the communication landscape in its time.