Neonode N1 Unveiling Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Neonode N1 Overview

The Neonode N1 is a distinctive device that marked an interesting point in the evolution of mobile technology. Announced in 2003 and now discontinued, this device brought a variety of features and unique aspects that set it apart from many of its contemporaries. The Neonode N1 was built on the Microsoft Windows CE.NET operating system, which was relatively unusual for mobile devices at the time, as the market was largely dominated by mobile-specific operating systems.

Design and Build

The Neonode N1 featured a compact and innovative design, measuring just 88 x 52 x 21 mm and weighing 86 grams. This made it highly portable, fitting easily into one's pocket or hand. Its form factor was sleek and comfortable to hold, with a minimalist aesthetic. The device used a mini-SIM card and was crafted to be straightforward and efficient in design, focusing more on usability than on unnecessary embellishments.

Display and Interface

Sporting a 2.2-inch TFT display, the Neonode N1 could display 65K colors with a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels, resulting in approximately 128 ppi pixel density. Although these screen specifications may seem modest by today's standards, they were quite acceptable during the early 2000s. The screen-to-body ratio was about 33.3%, allowing for a decent viewing experience for the time.

Performance and Storage

Under the hood, the Neonode N1 was equipped with 16MB RAM. While this memory capacity was modest, it was sufficient to handle the operations of its Windows CE.NET environment and basic multitasking. The device also included a memory card slot, supporting SD/MMC cards up to 1 GB, which was a notably generous storage expansion option considering the era, with 64 MB included in the package.

Network and Connectivity

The Neonode N1 operated on GSM technology with support for 2G bands GSM 900/1800. It was equipped with GPRS for data connectivity, but did not support EDGE, which some of its competitors had started to include. The absence of WLAN and Bluetooth connectivity limited its communication features, yet it included an infrared port, which was frequently used for data exchange during that period. It also featured USB 2.0 connectivity with OTG support, offering some versatility for file transfers and peripheral connections.

Camera Capabilities

The device was equipped with a VGA main camera, allowing for basic photography. Though it was a mere 0.3MP, it could record video at QCIF resolution. Given the context of its time, where mobile photography was still in its infancy, this capability added extra functionality to the device but was certainly not its main selling point.

Sound and Audio

Sound features on the Neonode N1 included a loudspeaker and support for monophonic ringtones. Notably, it lacked a 3.5mm jack, so it did not support standard headphone connections directly. Users were expected to rely on the device's loudspeaker for audio output, aligning with its emphasis on fundamental functionality.

Battery Life

The Neonode N1 was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1100 mAh battery. This would provide up to 250 hours of standby time and up to 3 hours of talk time. While battery life was always a major consideration for mobile device users, these numbers reflected competitive endurance for a small phone of this era.

User Experience and Additional Features

With basic sensors and support for WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML browsing via Internet Explorer 5.5, the N1 offered a fundamental browsing experience. It included standard utilities such as a clock and an alarm, ensuring essential time-management functionalities.

The Neonode N1, in essence, captured a unique blend of smartphone and PDA characteristics, making it a niche device for those intrigued by innovative technology during the early days of mobile evolution.