Discover the NEC N908 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of the NEC N908

The NEC N908 was announced in July 2006 as a compact and sleek feature phone that catered to the basic communication needs of the time. Sporting a minimalist design, this device marked a point in mobile phone development where practicality and simplicity were key. Now discontinued, the N908 offers a glimpse into the technological aspirations and limitations of mid-2000s mobile devices.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 83.4 x 53.2 x 12.8 mm and a weight of just 84 grams, the NEC N908 was designed for portability. It fit comfortably in the hand and pocket, appealing to users who valued convenience in a mobile device. The body was primarily made of plastic, typical for the era, and it was available in classic silver and black colors, offering a sophisticated look suitable for various users.

Display

The N908 featured a 2.2-inch TFT resistive touchscreen with 256K colors. Although modest by today’s standards, the resolution of 240 x 320 pixels provided clarity for simple tasks. The touchscreen technology, while not capacitive, responded well with stylus input or by finger-tapping, allowing for decent interactivity with the interface.

Camera

Equipped with a single 1.3 MP camera, the NEC N908 was not designed for high-quality photography but rather aimed to capture basic images for immediate sharing. It also supported video recording, which was a useful feature for users wanting to document short clips. The absence of a front-facing camera limited it to rear capture capabilities only.

Performance and Storage

Operating as a feature phone, the NEC N908 was not driven by a high-capacity processor typical in smartphones but rather relied on its basic feature phone framework to perform daily tasks. With internal storage of 31MB, it could store contacts, messages, and a limited amount of media. The inclusion of a microSD slot allowed users to expand the storage capacity, a vital feature for those wishing to carry more files.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 860mAh battery, the NEC N908 offered a standby time of up to 100 hours and a talk time of approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes. While these figures may seem limited today, they met the needs of early mobile phone users who prioritized basic call and text functionality over the intensive app usage seen in current smartphones.

Connectivity

The NEC N908 operated on GSM technology, covering 2G bands (GSM 900/1800/1900), which ensured widespread compatibility with networks at the time. Though lacking modern connectivity features like Wi-Fi or GPS, it included Bluetooth 1.2, facilitating basic wireless file transfers and connections to audio devices. The absence of radio and advanced connectivity features highlighted its positioning as a straightforward communication tool.

Multimedia and Applications

The N908 catered to multimedia needs with minimal scope. It played polyphonic and MP3 ringtones, and its basic WAP 2.0/xHTML browser allowed for rudimentary web surfing. Java support (MIDP 2.0) enabled the running of basic applications and games, providing some entertainment options despite its limited capabilities.

User Interface and Experience

Feature phones like the NEC N908 offered a simplistic user interface, favorable for users who required easy navigation without the complexity of modern smartphone systems. Messaging capabilities included SMS, MMS, and Email handling, essential for staying connected through various communication channels. Its physical buttons and resistive touchscreen provided a balanced interaction model compared to full-touch smartphones.

Legacy and Impact

The NEC N908 represents a phase in mobile technology that focused on making communication devices more pocketable and user-friendly. At its release, it sat well within the landscape of technology that prioritized communication over the multifaceted roles smartphones play in today’s lives. Although now discontinued, it remains a testament to NEC’s effort to deliver accessible mobile solutions to its users at the time.