The year 2005 was a time when smartphones were not as ubiquitous as they are now. Feature phones were the phone of choice for most people, and one such popular device was the Motorola E378i. Let's take a closer look at this device and its features.
Design and Dimensions
Released in Q1 of 2005, the Motorola E378i had a simple but functional design. It was a lightweight phone, weighing only 102g and measuring 22mm in thickness. Its dimensions were 111 x 47 x 22 mm with a volume of 82cc. The E378i also had a Mini-SIM card slot.
Display and Memory
The device had a TFT display with 65K colors and a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels. Although it didn't have a card slot for external storage, it came with 5MB of internal memory. This could be used to store up to 1000 entries in the phonebook and keep a record of 10 dialed, 10 received, and 10 missed calls.
Camera and Sound
In terms of camera, the E378i only had a single VGA lens on the back. It did not support video recording. However, it did have a loudspeaker and could play polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. It also had a vibration feature for incoming calls.
Connectivity and Features
The E378i ran on GSM technology and supported 2G bands for GSM 900, 1800, and 1900. It also had GPRS functionality (Class 10) but did not support EDGE. The device did not have any wireless connectivity options such as WLAN or Bluetooth, and it also lacked a radio and GPS positioning. However, it did have a proprietary USB port for data transfer.
Battery and Color Options
The E378i was powered by a removable Li-Ion 820 mAh battery with a standby time of up to 280 hours and a talk time of up to 7 hours and 30 minutes. It was only available in one color option - black.
Additional Features
In addition to its basic functions, the E378i also had some additional features that were popular during that time. It had iTAP technology for predictive text input, a voice memo function, and an organizer for managing tasks and appointments. It also had a basic MP3/MP4 player for entertainment purposes.
The Verdict
The Motorola E378i may seem quite outdated now, but it was a reliable and functional device back in the day. Its compact design, decent camera, and basic features made it a popular choice for those looking for an affordable and practical mobile phone. Although it has now been discontinued, the E378i will always be remembered as a reliable feature phone from the early 2000s.