The year was 2003, and the mobile phone industry was booming. Motorola, one of the top brands in the industry, released their latest device - the V290. This feature phone may not have had all the bells and whistles of modern smartphones, but it quickly gained popularity due to its simple yet efficient design.
Sleek and Lightweight
The Motorola V290 may not have been the thinnest phone at the time, but its compact size and lightweight body made it easy to carry around. Weighing only 97g and measuring 22mm in thickness, it could easily fit in pockets or small bags. The dimensions of 87 x 47 x 22 mm also provided a comfortable grip for users.
High-Quality Display
The device's display was a CSTN screen with 4096 colors, providing vibrant and clear images. With a resolution of 128 x 128 pixels and a 1:1 aspect ratio, the display was well-suited for text messages and basic browsing. It also featured a second B/W display with 96 x 32 pixels for added convenience.
No Need for Extra Storage
Unlike most phones today, the Motorola V290 did not come with a microSD card slot to expand its storage. However, with a phonebook capacity of 500 contacts and the ability to store 20 dialed, received, and missed calls each, there was no need for external storage.
No Camera, No Problem
One of the standout features of the Motorola V290 was its simplicity. Despite being released in 2003, a time when camera phones were on the rise, the V290 did not come with a camera - saving users from the occasional blurry and low-quality photos.
Long Battery Life
The phone was powered by a removable Li-Ion battery that could last up to 220 hours on standby and up to 5 hours of talk time. This meant less time worrying about charging and more time using the phone.
Entertaining Features
Although the V290 was primarily a communication device, it did come with some enjoyable features to keep its users entertained. It featured three built-in games - Big2, BubbleTea, and PacificStorm, perfect for passing the time in between calls or messages.
Simple Yet Efficient Messaging
The V290 may not have had access to popular messaging services like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, but it did come with SMS and EMS capabilities. It also had WAP 2.0/xHTML browser for basic internet browsing needs.
Discontinued but Not Forgotten
The Motorola V290 may have been discontinued, but it left a lasting impression on its users. Its minimalist design and efficient performance garnered a loyal following until its ultimate retirement.
In conclusion, the Motorola V290 may have been a simple phone in comparison to today's smartphones, but that did not take away from its quality and popularity. It remains a beloved device by many who appreciate its simplicity and effectiveness. The V290 serves as a reminder that sometimes less is more in a constantly evolving world of technology.
Motorola V290 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800
GPRS
Yes
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2003, Q3
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
87 x 47 x 22 mm, 77 cc (3.43 x 1.85 x 0.87 in)
Weight
97 g (3.42 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
CSTN, 4096 colors
Size
Resolution
128 x 128 pixels, 1:1 ratio
Other
Second display B/W (96 x 32 pixels)
Downloadable screensavers, wallpapers
Memory
Card slot
No
Phonebook
500
Call records
20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls
Camera
Other
No
Sound
Loudspeaker
No
Alert types
Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic ringtones
3.5mm jack
No
Comms
WLAN
No
Bluetooth
No
Positioning
No
Radio
No
USB
Features
Sensors
Messaging
SMS, EMS
Browser
WAP 2.0/xHTML
Games
Big2, BubbleTea, PacificStorm
Java
No
Other
Predictive text input (iTAP)
Organizer
Voice memo/dial