NEC N344i Comprehensive Review of Features Pricing Pros & Cons

NEC N344i Overview

The NEC N344i, announced in 2005, was designed to capture consumer interest with its compact features and practical functionalities. Although it was eventually cancelled and did not hit the market, the phone carried with it a range of specifications that mirrored the technological standards of its time.

Design and Build

The device measured 109 x 47 x 11.9 mm and weighed 95 grams, offering a lightweight feel that was typical of early 2000s mobile phones. Sporting a Mini-SIM slot, the phone emphasized portability, a significant feature for the mobile devices aimed at a broader market. The phone's aesthetic was completed by its black color, providing a classic look.

Display

The NEC N344i featured a 1.8-inch TFT screen capable of displaying 65K colors. The resolution of 128 x 160 pixels, with a pixel density of approximately 114 pixels per inch, was sufficient for viewing basic images and text, aligning with the features of other mobile phones of that era.

Camera

Equipped with a VGA camera with a resolution of 0.3 MP, the NEC N344i allowed users to capture basic photos. Video recording was also supported, which was a novel feature at the time, primarily in feature phones that offered multimedia capabilities.

Battery Life

The phone was powered by a removable Li-Ion 720 mAh battery. This allowed for a standby time of up to 200 hours and a talk time of up to 3 hours, making it reliable for daily communications without frequent recharges.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the NEC N344i had 5 MB of storage space. While this might appear limited by today's standards, it was adequate for storing contacts and a small number of multimedia files. Unfortunately, there was no card slot available for memory expansion, a common limitation among phones produced in that timeframe.

Connectivity

The phone supported GSM technology across the 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz bands, which made it compatible with global networks. GPRS Class 10 was available for mobile data, albeit with the slow speeds typical of pre-3G networks. Connectivity options also included Bluetooth, although the phone lacked Wi-Fi and GPS capabilities. The USB connection was proprietary, indicating that users required specific cables to connect the device to other gadgets.

Software and Features

This feature phone ran a custom operating system offering essential communication functions. It supported SMS, MMS, and Email via the i-mode browser, which was an early precursor to mobile internet services. Games could be downloaded, thanks to the Java DoJa 1.5 platform, allowing users to experience basic gaming on the device.

Sound and Multimedia

The NEC N344i featured a loudspeaker and supported vibration alerts and downloadable polyphonic ringtones. While it lacked a 3.5mm headphone jack, its multimedia capabilities were reasonably robust for the time, focusing on essential audio alerts and basic sound playback.

Market Position and Conclusion

Though the NEC N344i project was cancelled, its design and specifications reflected a focused attempt to cater to the feature phone market of the mid-2000s. Prioritizing communication features, basic multimedia, and compact design, it was a testament to NEC's efforts in exploring the burgeoning mobile technology landscape. Today, it stands as an interesting example of mobile innovation during a period of rapid technological evolution.