NEC e606: A Blast from the Past in the World of Feature Phones
The NEC e606, released by NEC in 2003, was a highly sought-after feature phone during its time. With features like a media player, built-in games, and predictive text input, it was considered one of the most advanced phones of its time. Let's take a closer look at what made the NEC e606 stand out from other phones of its time.
Dimensions and Design
Boasting a slim build and a sleek exterior, the NEC e606 was designed to be both stylish and user-friendly. It had dimensions of 109 x 53 x 32 mm and weighed 145g, making it easy to carry around. The Navi key, located on the front of the phone, made it convenient to navigate through its features.
Display and Memory
The phone featured a 65K color TFT display with a resolution of 132 x 160 pixels. This was considered high-quality for a feature phone at that time. The display also had a unique feature - the Navi key acted as a cursor when browsing through wallpapers, adding an interactive element to the user experience.
The NEC e606 had a limited internal memory of 32MB, with no option for external storage. However, it made up for this with other features such as a phonebook with a capacity of 500 x 8 entries, photo call capabilities, and the ability to store up to 20 dialed, received, and missed calls. It was also equipped with a 20-second voice memo and a 12-second video recorder, making it a great device for capturing memories.
Camera and Sound
The main camera of the NEC e606 was a CIF single camera, which could also record videos. The phone also had a selfie camera, which was a rare feature for phones in that era. However, it did not have a loudspeaker, and the 3.5mm jack was not available. Users had to rely on vibrations and downloadable polyphonic ringtones for notifications and incoming calls.
Connectivity and Features
The NEC e606 supported 2G GSM and 3G UMTS networks, with speeds of up to 384kbps. It also had Bluetooth 1.1 for file sharing, but it did not have WLAN, GPS, or a radio. The phone also came with a proprietary USB port for charging and data transfer.
In terms of features, the NEC e606 had messaging capabilities such as SMS, EMS, and MMS, making it easy to stay in touch with friends and family. It also had a browser for mobile internet access, a clock, an alarm, and built-in games. The Java feature allowed users to download additional applications and games. The media player, supporting audio and video formats such as MP4, AAC, WMA, and AMR, made it a great device for entertainment on-the-go.
Battery Life and Other Details
The NEC e606 was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery, which provided a standby time of up to 200 hours and a talk time of up to 3 hours and 20 minutes. It also had an organizer, voice dial and memo, and the ability to download videos.
In summary, the NEC e606 was a revolutionary feature phone that offered a range of impressive features at the time of its release. With its sleek design, quality display, and advanced features, it was a highly desirable device for users looking for an all-in-one mobile experience. Even though it has been discontinued, it remains an iconic device in the history of mobile phones.
NEC e606 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM / UMTS
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800
3G bands
UMTS 2100
Speed
Yes, 384 kbps
Launch
Announced
2003, Q1
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
109 x 53 x 32 mm, 140 cc (4.29 x 2.09 x 1.26 in)
Weight
145 g (5.11 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
TFT, 65K colors
Size
Resolution
132 x 160 pixels, 8 lines
Other
Navi key
Wallpapers
Memory
Card slot
No
Phonebook
500 x 8 entries, Photo call
Call records
20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls
Internal
32MB
Other
20 sec voice memo
12 sec video recorder
Main Camera
Single
CIF
Video
Yes
Selfie camera
Single
Yes
Video
Sound
Loudspeaker
No
Alert types
Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic ringtones
3.5mm jack
No
Comms
WLAN
No
Bluetooth
1.1
Positioning
No
Radio
No
USB
Proprietary
Features
Sensors
Messaging
SMS, EMS, MMS
Browser
WAP
Clock
Yes
Alarm
Yes
Games
Yes
Java
Yes
Other
Media player (audio and video)
Predictive text input
Organizer
Voice dial/memo
Video download
Formats: MP4-Video, MP4 AAC, WMA, AMR, JPG, GIF, BMP, MIDI