Motorola C980 A Comprehensive Review of Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of Motorola C980

The Motorola C980 is a mobile phone that was announced in the third quarter of 2004. As a product of its time, the C980 serves as a reminder of the early days of 3G technology and feature phones. This article will delve into its specifications, design, and features to provide a comprehensive overview of the device.

Network and Connectivity

The Motorola C980 is equipped with GSM/UMTS technology, ensuring compatibility with a range of 2G and 3G networks. Specifically, it supports GSM 900/1800/1900 bands and UMTS 2100, facilitating basic connectivity in various regions. The device offers a speed of up to 384 kbps, which was adequate for basic internet use and data transfer at the time.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 114 x 53 x 24.5 mm and weighing 139 grams, the Motorola C980 is relatively compact and portable. Its form factor was typical for early 2000s phones, with a Mini-SIM slot. The device was crafted to be robust yet simple, aiming to cater to users seeking straightforward functionality without the complexities of smartphones.

Display Specifications

The phone features a TFT display capable of rendering up to 65K colors. The screen size measures 1.9 inches, with a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels. This offered a modest yet functional display experience suitable for the basic tasks the phone was designed to perform, such as texting and calling.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the Motorola C980 comes with 4.4MB of storage, a common capacity for phones of its era. However, it also provides a microSD card slot, allowing for expanded storage to accommodate more data or applications. The phonebook can store up to 500 contacts, along with photo call capabilities, and the device keeps logs for 10 dialed, 10 received, and 10 missed calls.

Camera Features

At the back, the Motorola C980 is equipped with a VGA camera, which has a resolution of 0.3MP. While extremely basic by today's standards, it was adequate for capturing simple photos and video clips. Additionally, the C980 includes a secondary camera for video calling, a feature that indicates Motorola’s attempt to align with the emerging trends of mobile technology during that period.

Sound and Alerts

The device supports a loudspeaker for hands-free conversations. Users are alerted to calls and messages via vibration and a variety of downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones; however, it lacks a 3.5mm audio jack, which limits its utility for personal music listening.

Communication and Connectivity Options

In terms of connectivity, the C980 is limited by modern standards. It lacks Bluetooth, WLAN, and radio capabilities, but it supports standard messaging protocols like SMS, MMS, Email, and Instant Messaging, facilitated through WAP 2.0/xHTML for basic web browsing. The USB connectivity is proprietary, reflecting the bespoke technological integrations of that time.

Other Features and Functionality

The C980 runs on a feature phone operating system that offers limited yet functional utility, including Java support (MIDP 2.0), which allowed for games and simple applications to be used on the device. Downloadable games added an element of entertainment to the user experience.

Battery Performance

The device houses a removable Li-Ion 820 mAh battery, allowing for phone functionality up to 240 hours on standby and approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes of continuous talk time. This was considered reasonable for typical daily use during the time of its release.

Conclusion

The Motorola C980 is a testament to the evolutionary journey of mobile phones. Despite being discontinued, its features reflect the computing limitations and the strides in mobile technology of the early 2000s. It catered to consumers who valued basic communication capabilities and early internet connectivity. While it may not meet current technological demands, the C980 remains a significant marker in the history of mobile devices.