NEC N820 Full Specs Prices Pros & Cons Uncovered

Introduction to the NEC N820

The NEC N820, launched in the fourth quarter of 2003, represents a fascinating piece of mobile phone history. As an early 2000s feature phone, it combines technological nostalgia with basic functionality that provides insight into the evolution of mobile devices over the past two decades. Although it has been discontinued, the device offers a glimpse into the formative years of mobile communication technology.

Design and Build

Weighing in at 110 grams and with dimensions of 101 x 48 x 24 mm, the NEC N820 is compact and portable, fitting comfortably in the palm of a hand. Its size and weight made it an ideal option for users who favored simplicity and ease of use. The phone utilizes a classic Mini-SIM card, a standard during its release, further showcasing its design adherence to the norms of its era.

Display

The NEC N820 sports a 2.2-inch TFT screen, capable of displaying 65,000 colors. With a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 30.9%, the display offers a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels, translating to a density of about 182 pixels per inch (ppi). This was considered a standard offering for feature phones of its time, providing users with a vibrant and reasonably detailed visual experience.

Network and Connectivity

This device operates on GSM technology, supporting 2G bands across GSM 900, 1800, and 1900 frequencies. While it integrates GPRS Class 8 technology, it lacks EDGE capability. The absence of advanced connectivity options such as Bluetooth, WLAN, and positioning services reflects its focus on basic communication over digital interaction. However, an Infrared port is included, allowing for limited data sharing, a common feature for devices in this class.

Camera

The NEC N820 is equipped with a VGA camera with a 0.3-megapixel sensor. Complemented by an LED flash, it was designed for basic picture-taking and does not support video recording. While far from the high-capability cameras in today’s smartphones, it served its purpose during a time when mobile photography was in its infancy.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the NEC N820 comes with 4MB of storage, a modest capacity by today’s standards but quite typical for feature phones of its time. Notably, it does not include a card slot, which means that memory expansion via external storage devices is not an option. Contact management allows for up to 500 entries, with 8 fields each, and includes a photo call feature, enhancing user experience in personalization.

Messaging and Browser

Messaging capabilities include SMS, EMS, and MMS, enabling users to send and receive text and multimedia messages. The inclusion of a WAP 1.2.1 browser offers very basic internet browsing capabilities suitable mainly for mobile-optimized sites of the era.

Battery Life

The phone is powered by a removable lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 680mAh. Despite the seemingly low capacity compared to modern phones, it provides up to 100 hours of standby time and up to 5 hours of talk time, reflecting the energy efficiency tailored to its feature phone design and functionality.

Sound and Alert Features

The N820 does not come with a loudspeaker or a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, which means audio interactions are limited to vibration alerts and downloadable polyphonic ringtones. This setup underscores the phone’s orientation towards essential communication rather than multimedia entertainment.

Entertainment and Extras

As for entertainment, the NEC N820 includes a single game, "Field Golf 3D". Additionally, Java support provides limited potential for adding simple applications, reflecting the burgeoning phase of mobile gaming and app usage during its release.

Conclusion

The NEC N820 is a quintessential example of early 2000s mobile technology. Its straightforward functionality, combined with basic communication and rudimentary multimedia features, mark it as a device rooted deeply in the needs and technological capabilities of its time. Although today's smartphones overshadow it in all aspects, from performance to versatility, the N820 holds a place in mobile history as a stepping stone toward the more sophisticated devices we utilize today.