Comprehensive Review of NEC e121 Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Design and Build

The NEC e121 is a classic example of early 2000s mobile phone design. With dimensions of 106 x 44 x 12.4 mm and a weight of just 95 grams, it was compact and lightweight, making it an easy fit for any pocket or purse. Its form factor was simplistic and functional, featuring a candy-bar design with a decent build quality for its time. The phone was available in a sophisticated silver color, adding a touch of elegance to its appearance.

Display

The e121 came with a CSTN display that supported 65K colors. The screen was 1.8 inches in size, offering a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels at approximately 114 ppi density. While this might seem minimal by today's standards, it was acceptable during its era, providing sufficient clarity for basic tasks like viewing messages and checking call logs.

Network Technology

This device was equipped with GSM technology, specifically supporting GSM 900/1800/1900 bands. It also supported GPRS Class 10, which allowed for basic internet browsing capabilities using the WAP 2.0/xHTML browser. Unfortunately, there was no EDGE support, limiting its internet speed potential significantly.

Memory and Storage

The internal memory of the NEC e121 was quite limited, with only 3.6MB of storage. This space was mainly used for storing contacts, messages, and a small collection of downloadable polyphonic ringtones. The phonebook enabled users to save a moderate number of contacts, while call records featured logs of 20 dialed, 20 received, and 20 missed calls. There was no slot for a memory card, meaning that storage expansion was not an option.

Camera

A notable feature of the e121 was its VGA camera, offering 0.3MP resolution. Although basic, this camera allowed users to capture quick snapshots for personal use, albeit with limited clarity and detail. However, there was no capability for video recording or a front-facing camera for selfies, which is now a staple feature in modern devices.

Battery

The NEC e121 housed a removable Li-Ion 800 mAh battery. The standby time on this device was pegged at up to 150 hours, with talk time lasting up to approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. While not extensive, this battery life was reasonable for a feature phone that primarily handled calls and texts.

Connectivity

The phone lacked advanced connectivity options such as WLAN, Bluetooth, and positioning capabilities. USB connectivity was via a proprietary port, limiting the ease of transferring data to and from the device. Additionally, there was no support for radio, which was a feature some contemporaries offered.

Sound and Alerts

For sound, the NEC e121 featured a decent loudspeaker capable of playing polyphonic ringtones, a popular feature at the time. Although not equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack, the phone supported downloadable ringtones, allowing users some customization in alert tones for calls and messages.

Features and Applications

The device ran on a feature phone operating system that supported basic functionalities like SMS, EMS, and MMS messaging. Entertainment options were also limited but included a selection of simple games. Moreover, the device supported Java MIDP 2.0, which facilitated basic Java applications, but the capabilities were far from what modern smartphones provide.

Market Reception and Discontinuation

Announced in the fourth quarter of 2005, the NEC e121 was eventually discontinued as more advanced models entered the market. It served as a reliable basic phone for those who needed essential communication features without the complexity of modern smartphones. However, its lack of multimedia capabilities and limited storage expansion ultimately meant it couldn't keep pace with evolving mobile technology standards.