NEC N150 Comprehensive Review Pricing and Features Unveiled

Overview

The NEC N150, announced in the fourth quarter of 2004, represents a distinctive class of feature phones that existed before the rapid rise of the smartphone era. Even though it is now discontinued, the device still garners attention for being a representation of the technology and design ethos of that period. In this article, we will delve into the detailed specifications, features, and user experience of the NEC N150.

Design and Build

The NEC N150 is compact and lightweight, with dimensions of 91 x 44 x 20 mm and weighing just 80 grams. This made it extremely portable and ideal for users who preferred minimalistic designs. The body is characterized by a neat and straightforward design with a Mini-SIM slot. The phone was available in two colors - Silver and Blue, catering to modest aesthetic preferences.

Display

The device features a small STN display with 65K colors, which was quite common for feature phones of that era. The screen resolution stands at 128 x 128 pixels, offering basic visual output suitable for text and simple graphics. Although the screen size is not specified, it matched the standard compact design typical for feature phones during that time.

Performance and Memory

The NEC N150 is a basic feature phone with an internal storage capacity of 3MB. While this might seem negligible by today’s standards, it was adequate for storing contacts, messages, and a few media files back then. The phone supports a phonebook that can hold up to 300 entries and records for 20 dialed, received, and missed calls. Unfortunately, there is no option for expandable storage via a card slot.

Camera

Equipped with a VGA camera, the NEC N150 allows users to take basic photographs. Although it's far from the sophisticated cameras in modern smartphones, this feature provided a touch of multimedia functionality to users. The camera also supports video recording, adding to its multimedia capabilities.

Battery Life

Regarding power, the NEC N150 houses a removable Li-Ion battery with a capacity of 720mAh. The battery supports up to 180 hours of standby time and 2 hours and 30 minutes of talk time. These specifications were typical for feature phones, ensuring sufficient battery life for regular use.

Connectivity and Communication

The device operates on GSM technology, compatible with GSM 900 and 1800 bands. For data connectivity, the phone is equipped with GPRS Class 10. It does not support EDGE, WLAN, Bluetooth, or positioning. The connectivity options are hence quite limited by modern standards but were typical for phones of that era.

Additional Features

For messaging, the NEC N150 supports SMS, EMS, and MMS. It comes with a built-in WAP 2.0/xHTML browser for basic web browsing. The device also features three simple games, providing a slight entertainment factor. The inclusion of Java MIDP 2.0 allows for running Java-based applications, broadening its utility slightly compared to other feature phones.

Sound and Audio

In terms of audio, the NEC N150 does not have a loudspeaker. It supports vibration alerts and downloadable polyphonic ringtones. However, it lacks a 3.5mm audio jack, which limits its compatibility with common earphones and audio accessories without specific adapters.

Conclusion

The NEC N150 is reflective of the transitional phase in mobile technology, bridging basic communication needs with emerging multimedia functionalities. Its compact form, combined with essential features, made it a practical choice during its time. Despite its limitations compared to contemporary devices, it holds a place in the history of mobile phones for its representation of early 2000s innovation and design.