The Alcatel OT-385, released in 2011, was a simple and compact feature phone that quickly gained popularity for its QWERTY keyboard and affordable price. Let's take a closer look at this device and why it became such a hit.
Design and Specifications
The phone weighed only 85g and had a thickness of 12mm, making it easy to carry around in your pocket. It also had a mini-SIM card slot and a 2.0-inch TFT screen with 256K colors. Despite its small size, the phone had a QWERTY keyboard, allowing for easier and faster typing compared to traditional keypads.
Operating System and Network
The Alcatel OT-385 ran on a feature phone operating system, which meant it was not capable of running apps like smartphones. However, it did have basic features like SMS, MMS, email, and instant messaging. In terms of network connectivity, it only supported GSM technology with 2G bands for GSM 850/1900 and GSM 900/1800. Although it did not have GPRS or EDGE, it was still able to browse the internet with WAP 2.0/xHTML.
Memory and Camera
The OT-385 had a modest memory capacity of only 0.4MB, but it also had a microSDHC slot for expandable storage. This feature allowed users to store more contacts, photos, and music on their device. The phone also had a VGA main camera for taking photos and videos, although the quality may not have been the best.
Battery Life and Other Features
One of the most impressive features of the Alcatel OT-385 was its long battery life. With a removable Li-Ion 850 mAh battery, it could last for up to 560 hours on standby and up to 7 hours of talk time. Additionally, the phone had an MP3/H.263 player, FM radio with RDS, and voice memo for entertainment and organization.
Discontinuation and Colors
Despite its success, the Alcatel OT-385 was eventually discontinued. However, during its short time in the market, it came in three vibrant colors - silver, cherry red, and cyber blue. This was a refreshing change from the usual black and white-colored phones at that time.
In conclusion, the Alcatel OT-385 may be considered outdated now, but it will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who owned it. It was a budget-friendly device that offered essential features and a physical keyboard, making it a popular choice for messaging and communication.
