NEC N700 Unveiling Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Introduction to NEC N700

The NEC N700 is a classic example of early 2000s mobile technology. Announced in the last quarter of 2003, it represents a time when mobile phones were primarily designed for basic communication, with added features that were cutting-edge for the time. NEC, a company known for its technological innovations, delivered the N700 as a feature phone that captured the attention of many for its design and functionality.

Design and Build

The NEC N700 has a compact and stylish design. With dimensions of 90 x 43 x 23 mm and a weight of just 95 grams, it was designed to be both portable and pocket-friendly. The phone was available in two color variants, Silver and Gold, appealing to users looking for a touch of sophistication in their mobile devices. Its design features a mini-SIM slot and a vibrant TFT screen that could display 65K colors.

Display Characteristics

The device sports a 1.8-inch display with a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels. Although modest by today's standards, this display size was quite typical for feature phones of that era. The screen-to-body ratio, at 26.3%, offered enough display area for comfortable browsing through menus and reading messages.

Camera Capabilities

In an age where mobile phone cameras were still a novelty, the NEC N700 came equipped with a CIF camera. Although it had a basic 0.1MP resolution, it was capable of taking photos aided by an LED flash. While it lacked video recording capabilities, the presence of a camera was itself a draw for consumers during this period.

Battery Performance

The phone is powered by a removable Li-Ion battery with a capacity of 1050 mAh. This might seem minimal now, but back then, it provided substantial battery life due to the phone's limited power consumption. The NEC N700 offered up to 240 hours of standby time and up to 5 hours of talk time, making it reliable for daily use without frequent charging.

Network and Connectivity

The NEC N700 operates on GSM technology and supports 2G bands on 900/1800 frequencies. It included GPRS Class 8 for basic internet connectivity, although it did not support EDGE, which limits its internet capabilities. It did not come with modern connectivity features such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or USB, reflecting the technological limitations of its time.

Memory and Storage

The phone's internal storage is limited, with no card slot available for expansion. Users could store up to 500 contacts, each with multiple fields and a photo attachment option. The call history was limited to storing the last 20 dialed, received, and missed calls. These features underscored its role as a communication device rather than a multimedia gadget.

Sound and Alerts

The device did not come with a loudspeaker, which meant that all sound notifications were handled via the inbuilt speaker. The alert types included vibration and downloadable polyphonic ringtones that were quite the rage back in the early 2000s. However, it lacked a 3.5mm audio jack, limiting audio accessory options.

Additional Features

As a feature phone, the NEC N700 provided a few built-in functionalities, including games and a WAP 1.2.1 browser for basic web browsing. It supported messaging in SMS, EMS, and MMS formats, catering to the communication needs of its users. However, it did not support Java, which restricted the range of downloadable apps and games.

Conclusion

In the ever-evolving world of mobile technology, the NEC N700 stands as a testament to the beginnings of mobile innovation. While today's smartphones vastly surpass it in terms of functionality and capability, the N700 remains a piece of nostalgic technology that reminds us of the early days of mobile communications. Its limited but well-utilized features offered a glimpse into the future of personal mobile devices.