Motorola WX290 All Specs Prices & Insights Revealed

Overview

The Motorola WX290 was a feature phone released in July 2010, a time when feature phones were prevalent as affordable options for basic communication needs. Released by Motorola, a prominent player in the mobile industry, the WX290 offered essential features targeted at users seeking simplicity and reliability in their mobile device. Despite being discontinued, it provided a glimpse into the technology and design priorities of its era. This article delves into various aspects of the Motorola WX290, from its specifications to its usage in different contexts.

Design and Build

The design of the Motorola WX290 is defined by its compact and lightweight form factor, making it easy to carry and use. With dimensions of 107.6 x 45.3 x 14.3 mm and weighing only 83 grams, the device was intended to be comfortably portable, fitting easily into pockets or bags. The build featured a practical black color, which was a common choice for phones of that time, offering a professional and understated aesthetic. The device employed a traditional T9 keypad, permitting users who were accustomed to such keypads to easily type messages and dial numbers.

Display

The Motorola WX290 was equipped with a 1.77-inch TFT display, providing a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels. While this screen size and resolution may seem modest by today's standards, it was adequate for basic phone functions such as viewing contacts, reading messages, and navigating through menus. The screen could display 65,000 colors, which was typical for feature phones of that era, enabling reasonably good clarity for simple graphics and icons.

Camera and Multimedia

A notable feature of the Motorola WX290 was its VGA camera, which allowed users to capture basic photos. Although the 0.3 MP camera did not support video recording, it fulfilled the fundamental role of capturing moments. In terms of multimedia, the phone included an FM radio with RDS, offering entertainment options for users looking to listen to music or news on the go. Notably, the phone lacked a 3.5mm audio jack, which limited direct connection with standard headphones, although it did have a loudspeaker for hands-free listening.

Connectivity and Network

The Motorola WX290 operated on GSM technology, utilizing 2G bands of GSM 900 and 1800. This enabled it to support basic mobile services such as voice calls and SMS. While it did not incorporate advanced internet capabilities, it did support GPRS Class 10 for basic browsing via the WAP 2.0/xHTML browser. The device also featured Bluetooth 2.0 for short-range wireless communication and a miniUSB port for charging and data transfer.

Battery Life

The phone housed a removable Li-Ion 750 mAh battery, delivering a commendable battery life given its limited power consumption. It could sustain up to 580 hours on standby and offered talk time of up to 8 hours. This durability made it a reliable choice for users who needed a phone that would not require frequent charging.

Memory and Storage

The device included a dedicated microSD slot for external storage expansion, which was a valuable feature for users needing extra space for contact entries or media. The phonebook could store up to 800 entries, providing ample space for storing personal and professional contacts.

User Experience and Software Features

With its feature phone operating system, the Motorola WX290 focused on delivering core telephony and messaging functionalities efficiently. It supported SMS and MMS messaging, allowing users to send both text and multimedia messages. Despite lacking JAVA support, the phone included a selection of basic games to provide users with some casual entertainment options. While it did not offer advanced sensors or apps, its simplicity was its strength, particularly for users seeking straightforward mobile usage.

Market and Price

Priced around 40 EUR at launch, the Motorola WX290 was positioned as an affordable option for consumers. Given its pricing and features, it appealed to a diverse audience, from those looking for a backup phone to individuals needing a reliable primary device without the complexities of a smartphone.

Conclusion

The Motorola WX290 embodies an era of mobile phones where the focus was on simplicity, basic functionality, and affordability. Despite the technological evolution that has brought smartphones to the forefront, the WX290 stands as a testament to the design and utility priorities of the past. Its compact design, reliable battery life, and essential features made it a practical choice for many users during its time. It remains a reflection of Motorola's strategy of offering a diverse range of products to meet the varying needs of their global consumer base.