NEC e238 Unveiling Specs Pricing & Features

Overview of the NEC e238

The NEC e238, released in the fourth quarter of 2004, is a feature phone that offers basic mobile functionalities while standing out with notable features for its time. Although discontinued now, it carries relevance for understanding the evolution of mobile technology, particularly within the context of early 2000s mobile phone development.

Network Capabilities

The NEC e238 works on GSM technology and supports 2G bands, specifically GSM 900, 1800, and 1900. This allowed it to function across numerous global networks, making it a relatively versatile option for international travelers at the time. The phone is equipped with GPRS Class 10, although it lacks EDGE technology, which placed some limitations on data speed, notably in an era increasingly leaning towards more robust internet services.

Design and Build Quality

With dimensions measuring 90 x 44 x 23 mm and weighing 95 grams, the NEC e238 is compact and carries a sense of practical simplicity. It uses a Mini-SIM card and was available in two colors: Silver and Blue—both offering a sleek aesthetic appeal for its users. Its design reflects a blend of corporately cultured design with consumer-focused usability.

Display Features

The screen of the NEC e238 is a TFT display capable of presenting 65K colors with a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels. Although the screen size is unspecified, the resolution suggests it provided clear and vivid visuals suitable for the feature phone's UI and offered sufficient clarity for reading messages and displaying basic graphics.

Memory and Storage

The device includes an internal memory of 26MB with no option for external card slots. While this may sound limiting by today's standards, at the time, it was sufficient for storing contacts, messages, and a few downloadable games. Users could store up to 500 contacts with additional custom fields and utilize a phonebook capable of organizing entries into 20 groups. The call log can track 20 dialed, 20 received, and 20 missed calls.

Camera Capabilities

The NEC e238 features a VGA main camera with LED flash functionality. This simple camera allowed users to capture basic images and supported video recording, which was a compelling feature for feature phones during that period even if the quality was relatively low when compared to dedicated digital cameras.

Audio and Alerts

The NEC e238 does not include a loudspeaker or a 3.5mm headphone jack. However, it supports vibration alerts and allows users to personalize their experience with downloadable polyphonic ringtones, providing a modest range of audio customization for calls and notifications.

Communication Features

While the phone lacks WLAN, Bluetooth, GPS, and radio, it does include an infrared port, which at the time, was a progressive feature for facilitating wireless communication, especially in sharing files between devices. The inclusion of a proprietary USB port further supports data transfer through more traditional wired connections.

Software and Utility

Operating as a feature phone, the NEC e238 supports SMS, EMS, MMS, and email messaging, making it a valuable tool for communication in various formats. It provides users with a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser, allowing limited access to internet services. Furthermore, it includes Java MIDP 2.0 for running Java-based applications and games, enhancing the phone's utility beyond mere calling and texting.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 850 mAh battery, offering up to 200 hours of standby time and up to 3 hours of talk time. Given the energy demands of early feature phones, this battery life was reasonable and ensured that users could be reliably connected throughout the day.

Conclusion

The NEC e238 exemplifies a period of mobile history when feature phones were at the forefront of portable communication technology. Its combination of compact design, basic camera functionality, and simple connectivity options typifies the essential mobile experience in the early 2000s. Despite its limitations by today's standards, the NEC e238 remains a notable representation of the transitional era in mobile innovation, bridging the gap between the elementary mobile and the advent of more advanced smartphones.