CD920: The First Feature Phone by Motorola Released in 1998
The CD920 is the first feature phone launched by Motorola back in 1998. It was a humble beginning for Motorola to enter the mobile phone market dominated by giants like Nokia and Ericsson. Despite being their first attempt, the CD920 gained popularity due to its unique design and features.
Design and Dimensions
The CD920 weighed 120g and had a thickness of 27mm, making it lightweight and easy to carry. It had a sleek design with dimensions of 129 x 55 x 27 mm, fitting comfortably in the palm of your hand. The phone had a removable Mini-SIM slot and a monochrome Optimax display screen, which could only display fixed icons.
Memory and Features
The CD920 did not have a card slot for external storage, but it offered a built-in storage capacity of up to 100 entries in the phonebook and could store records of up to 10 dialed, 5 received, and 5 missed calls. It also had the unique feature of voice notes, allowing users to record up to 3 minutes of audio. However, the phone did not support Java and lacked basic features like a clock, alarm, or games.
Network and Connectivity
The CD920 supported only 2G technology with GSM 900/1800 bands, making it suitable for basic calling and messaging services. It did not have GPRS or EDGE connectivity, limiting its internet capabilities. The phone also lacked Bluetooth and WLAN, making it challenging to transfer data wirelessly.
Camera and Sound
The CD920 did not have a camera but had a monophonic ringtone feature, which allowed users to set personalized ringtones for their contacts. However, the phone did not have a loudspeaker or a 3.5mm jack for audio output.
Battery Life and Other Features
The CD920 had a removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery that provided a standby time of 105 hours and a talk time of 270 minutes. It only supported SMS messaging and had 16 language options but lacked a built-in browser, radio, or any other sensors.
Despite its limited features, the CD920 was a popular choice among consumers due to its affordability and durability. It served as a reliable communication device, and its basic features catered to the needs of users back in the late '90s.
Discontinuation and Legacy
The CD920 was discontinued after its release in 1998, as Motorola focused on developing more advanced mobile phones. It laid the foundation for future feature phones and contributed to the rise of Motorola in the mobile phone industry.
Although you won't find the CD920 in use today, it holds a special place in mobile phone history, being the first feature phone by Motorola and serving as a stepping stone for the brand's success in the market.
