Unveiling Sony Ericsson T290 Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Introduction to the Sony Ericsson T290

The Sony Ericsson T290, released in the fourth quarter of 2004, marked a notable phase in the evolution of mobile phones produced by Sony Ericsson. Although considered a simple feature phone by today's standards, the T290 served as an accessible and functional mobile device at its time, catering to users who desired reliable communication over extravagant multimedia capabilities. The phone's design, coupled with its user-friendly features, made it a popular choice for many during its release era.

Design and Build

The Sony Ericsson T290 was crafted with a minimalistic and practical design approach. The dimensions of the phone measured 101 x 44 x 19 mm, making it compact and easy to carry around. Weighing just 73 grams, it was lightweight and could easily fit into pockets or be held comfortably during calls. Constructed with durable materials, the T290's build quality aimed to withstand everyday wear and tear. The device also featured a traditional physical keypad, ensuring users could easily navigate its menu and type messages efficiently.

Display Characteristics

Equipped with a 1.45 inch STN display, the Sony Ericsson T290 showcased 4096 colors, which was standard for many phones at the time. The screen resolution stood at 101 x 80 pixels, providing enough clarity for text and basic graphics. While not designed to offer a high-end viewing experience, the display was suitable for its primary functions, such as reading SMS messages, browsing simple WAP sites, and navigating the phone’s menu.

Performance and Usage

Functioning as a feature phone, the Sony Ericsson T290 was designed for basic communication needs. It did not support advanced smartphone operating systems but rather operated with a proprietary system optimized for simplicity and ease of use. This system allowed users to perform essential tasks like calling, texting via SMS, EMS, and MMS, and even sending and receiving emails. The phone also came with a modest storage of 400 KB, which was adequate for storing contacts, messages, and a few additional media files.

Network and Connectivity

The Sony Ericsson T290 operated on the GSM 900 and 1800 bands and supported GPRS Class 8 for data services. Although it lacked modern connectivity features such as Bluetooth and WiFi, it offered WAP 1.2.1 browser capabilities, enabling users to access the internet at basic levels. Connectivity for hands-free usage was provided through a proprietary USB interface, facilitating power supply and data transfer through compatible accessories.

Memory and Storage

With an internal memory of 400 KB, the Sony Ericsson T290 was designed primarily for communication-oriented functions that did not demand extensive storage. Users could store 250 contacts, each with up to five fields of information, and maintain records of recent calls. Although the lack of a memory card slot restricted additional storage expansion, the capacity provided supported its intended functionality.

Battery Life

The phone was powered by a removable Li-Ion 700 mAh battery (BST-30), offering robust performance for its range. Users could benefit from up to 300 hours of standby and up to 12 hours of talk time, making the T290 suitable for daily use over extended periods without frequent recharging. The removable aspect of the battery also provided convenience for replacement and interchangeability.

Sound and Multimedia

The Sony Ericsson T290 was equipped with a loudspeaker and supported polyphonic ringtones, allowing users to enjoy a range of sound alerts and notifications. Unfortunately, the absence of a 3.5mm audio jack was a limitation for users wanting to listen to music privately. However, the device did support downloadable ringtones and composing new melodies using the built-in composer.

Additional Features

In terms of entertainment, the Sony Ericsson T290 came with two pre-loaded games – Deep Abyss and Five Stones – and provided the option to download additional games. This feature, although limited compared to modern standards, offered a source of amusement for users. The phone's messaging capabilities included standard SMS and more advanced EMS and MMS, allowing for multimedia messaging.

Conclusion

The Sony Ericsson T290 provided a balanced mix of essential features and reliability, serving effectively as a practical communication tool during its time. Its simple operating system, coupled with a robust design and durable battery, made it appealing to users seeking straightforward and dependable mobile phones. Despite its discontinuation, the T290 remains a testament to the era of feature phones where simplicity reigned supreme over the complex multimedia functionalities of modern smartphones.