ZTE N290 InDepth Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Revealed

Overview of ZTE N290

The ZTE N290 is a feature phone that was released in 2010 by ZTE Corporation, a prominent player in the telecommunications industry. Designed during a time when smartphones were beginning to gain prominence, the ZTE N290 represents a transitional phase in mobile technology. It blends basic smartphone features with the traditional simplicity of feature phones.

Network and Connectivity

The ZTE N290 supports GSM technology, which was a standard for mobile phones at the time of its release. It operates on 2G bands specifically GSM 900 and 1800, allowing for basic communication functionalities. The inclusion of GPRS and EDGE supported internet connectivity, although limited compared to modern standards. However, the device does not support WLAN, which means Wi-Fi connectivity is not possible with this phone.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 112 x 55 x 13 mm and a weight of 106 grams, the ZTE N290 offers a compact and lightweight design, making it easy to carry and handle. The phone's design was fairly typical for its time, featuring a mini-SIM slot and a traditional layout with a resistive touchscreen. This TFT resistive touchscreen supports 256K colors, which was sufficient for basic media viewing and consumption.

Display Characteristics

The ZTE N290 features a 3.2-inch display with a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels. This screen size and resolution offer an average viewing experience, typical of feature phones of that era. The touchscreen technology used is resistive, requiring pressure to register touch inputs, which is less responsive than the capacitive touchscreens widely used today.

Memory and Storage

This device includes a modest internal storage of 20MB but supports microSDHC cards, allowing users to expand storage for additional media or files. The phonebook capacity is quite generous for a feature phone, allowing up to 1000 entries, and supports photocall, a feature that links contacts with pictures.

Camera Specifications

The main camera of the ZTE N290 is a 3.2 MP single shooter, which was competent enough for basic photography needs at the time. It also supports video recording. Selfie enthusiasts can utilize the 2 MP front-facing camera, although its performance would be considered very basic by today’s standards.

Sound and Audio Features

Audio capabilities include a loudspeaker and standard sound alerts. However, the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack means audio output options are limited. Users would need to rely on external speakers or proprietary connectors for audio playback.

Communication Features

Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP provides basic wireless connectivity, suitable for pairing with other Bluetooth-enabled devices. The presence of an FM radio offers entertainment options for users who enjoy traditional broadcast radio. The phone also uses a proprietary USB connection for data transfer and charging.

Messaging and Internet

For communication, the ZTE N290 supports SMS and MMS, catering to text and multimedia messaging. The phone comes with a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser, suitable for very basic internet browsing given the limited network support.

Battery Performance

The device is equipped with a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery, which offers a standby time of up to 500 hours and a talk time of up to 10 hours. These battery life metrics were quite reasonable for basic feature phones, ensuring that users could rely on the device for extended periods without frequent recharges.

Additional Features and Colors

Users could enjoy basic games and Java applications, providing entertainment besides communication and media consumption. The lack of built-in sensors limits the device’s capability in terms of responsiveness and adaptability to various applications.

The ZTE N290 was produced in a classic black color, reflecting a simple yet elegant design that was suitable for a wide range of users.

Conclusion

The ZTE N290 is a representation of transition in mobile technology, positioned at a point where feature phones were beginning to incorporate elements of the smartphone experience. While it may not have the advanced functionalities and connectivity options of modern smartphones, it served as a practical device for basic communication and media functions at the time of its release. Discontinued now, it remains a part of the evolutionary story of mobile devices.