NEC N710 Comprehensive Review of Specs Price Pros & Cons

Overview

The NEC N710 is a feature phone that was announced in the first quarter of 2004. Even though it has long been discontinued, it remains a notable device from the early 2000s. At a glance, the NEC N710 merges the essential features and design aesthetics of that era, characterized by its simplistic and compact form, as well as the basic mobile technology it supported.

Design and Build

The NEC N710 was designed with portability in mind, featuring dimensions of 91 x 45 x 26 mm and weighing a mere 95 grams. It is compact and fits comfortably in the hand, which is typical of phones from the early 2000s. The device was available in colors such as Silver and Pink, appealing to a variety of consumers. The sturdy build and removable Li-Ion battery added to its durability and ease of use.

Display

The device sports a 1.8-inch TFT display capable of showing 65K colors. With a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels and a ~114 ppi density, the screen was typical for its time, providing a basic but sufficient viewing experience for menu navigation and basic gaming.

Camera Features

The NEC N710 features a single VGA main camera with LED flash. While the 0.3MP camera might seem inadequate by today's standards, it was quite standard for basic photography needs at the time of its release. The camera lacks video recording capabilities, focusing purely on still images.

Memory and Storage

The internal storage stands at 2MB with no support for external memory cards, which was common for phones of this generation. This limited storage space could handle a small collection of SMS, MMS messages, and a few downloadable games.

Network and Connectivity

The NEC N710 operates on GSM networks, supporting 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz bands. It offers GPRS Class 8 for basic data services but lacks support for EDGE. The absence of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and positioning features reflects the technology focus of the period.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion battery. It offers up to 5 hours of talk time and up to 100 hours on standby, which was reasonable for the phone’s capabilities and usage patterns at the time. The battery life complemented its use as a simple communication device without power-intensive features.

Multimedia and Additional Features

In terms of audio, the phone relied on vibration alerts and downloadable polyphonic ringtones for notifications. It did not feature a loudspeaker or a 3.5mm jack, which limited its multimedia functionality. Despite this, NEC included support for SMS, MMS, and basic WAP 1.2.1 browsing, alongside a couple of built-in games with the potential to download more.

Final Remarks

The NEC N710 was a product of its time, embodying the key characteristics of early 2000s mobile technology: simplicity, efficiency, and focus on core telephony features. Despite its discontinuation, it offers a nostalgic glimpse into the communication devices of the past, highlighting both the limitations and the charm of mobile phones from this era.