NEC N401i InDepth Review of Specs Pricing and Performance

Overview of NEC N401i

The NEC N401i is a feature phone that was announced in the first quarter of 2005. As a testament to the early 2000s mobile technology, this device offered a variety of essential functionalities suited for its time, despite being relatively limited by today's standards. Known for its compact design and basic multimedia capabilities, the NEC N401i represents a significant stage in the evolution of mobile phones.

Design and Build

The NEC N401i measures 90 x 44 x 23 mm, with a weight of 90 grams, making it a compact and portable device. The phone’s small size was typical of the era, allowing for comfortable one-handed use and easy storage in pockets. It features a Mini-SIM slot, adhering to the standard used before the advent of micro and nano SIM cards. The design was minimalistic and functional, focusing more on utility than aesthetics or luxury.

Display

The device features a 1.9-inch display with a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels. The LCD screen supports 65K colors, providing decent color representation suitable for basic phone functions and simple visual content. While this resolution and color depth are quite limited compared to modern smartphones, they were adequate for the phone's primary functions, which included texting, making calls, and basic multimedia playback.

Camera

The NEC N401i comes with a single VGA camera equipped with an LED flash, which was a notable feature at the time. The camera's resolution is 0.3 megapixels, allowing users to take basic photos and record simple videos. While these specifications are quite modest, they catered to the early adopters of mobile photography, providing them with a convenient way to capture and share moments on the go.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 850 mAh battery. In terms of endurance, the phone delivers up to 200 hours of standby time and approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes of talk time. These figures reflect the energy efficiency of feature phones, which typically offer longer battery life compared to smartphones, due to their limited multitasking capabilities and less power-intensive applications.

Memory and Storage

The NEC N401i features 22MB of internal storage. While there is no option for expanding storage via a card slot, the available memory is sufficient for storing contacts, messages, and some media files. The phonebook can store up to 500 entries, with a photo call feature that personalizes the calling experience. Call records are also available, keeping track of the last 20 dialed, received, and missed calls.

Network and Connectivity

The device supports GSM technology on 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz bands, enabling connectivity across different regions. It has GPRS for basic mobile internet usage but lacks EDGE support. Connectivity options are further enhanced with the availability of an infrared port, although modern standards such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS are absent. The proprietary USB connection allows for data transfer between the phone and other devices.

Sound and Media

The NEC N401i does not feature a loudspeaker or a standard 3.5mm audio jack, which limits its use as a media device. Instead, it uses downloadable polyphonic ringtones for alerts. Although it lacks a comprehensive multimedia experience, the phone supports Java (DoJa 1.5) applications and downloadable games, offering some entertainment flexibility for users.

Operating System and Additional Features

This feature phone runs on a proprietary operating system designed to deliver essential mobile functionalities. Messaging capabilities include SMS, EMS, MMS, and email. The built-in iMode browser allows for basic web surfing, which was a valuable utility at the time. Additionally, despite its simplicity, the NEC N401i included support for downloadable games and some Java-based applications, enriching the user experience within the limits of its hardware capabilities.

Conclusion

The NEC N401i, as a feature phone from the mid-2000s, offers an insightful glimpse into the mobile technology of the time. Its straightforward design, limited yet practical features, and basic multimedia capabilities catered to users who valued functionality over complexity. While modern smartphones have vastly surpassed it in terms of capabilities and features, the NEC N401i remains a noteworthy chapter in the evolution of mobile phones.