In today's era of smartphones and wireless connectivity, the NEC N342i might seem like a relic from a bygone time. But for anyone who owned this classic feature phone, it will forever hold a special place in their heart.
Release and Network
The NEC N342i was released in 2004, in Q4 to be exact. It was a time when the idea of having a mobile phone was still considered a luxury. This device was proudly manufactured by NEC, a household name in Japan, and known for their reliable electronics. The N342i operated on GSM technology and had 2G bands of GSM 900,1800 and 1900. It also supported GPRS Class 10, although it did not have EDGE capabilities.
Dimensions and Storage
Weighing only 90g with a thickness of 24mm, the NEC N342i was a sleek and lightweight device that could easily fit into your pocket. It had a storage capacity of 2MB, which may sound meager in today's standards, but back then it was more than enough to store important contacts and messages. However, it did not have a card slot for expandable storage.
Display and Camera
The N342i featured a CSTN display with 65K colors, making it one of the best displays at the time. It had a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels, which may seem low now, but it was perfectly adequate for a feature phone. One of its unique features was the second external STN mono display, with a resolution of 96 x 64 pixels. Users could also download wallpapers to customize their device to their liking. For photography enthusiasts, the N342i had a single VGA camera, but unfortunately, it did not support video recording.
Memory and Battery
With a phonebook capacity of 250 entries and the ability to store up to 20 dialed, received, and missed calls each, the N342i had sufficient memory for users to keep track of their contacts. It also had an internal storage capacity of 2MB. The device was powered by a removable Li-Ion 780 mAh battery, which could last up to 200 hours on stand-by and up to 3 hours of talk time.
Features
The NEC N342i had some exciting features that were ahead of its time. It had a built-in organizer, voice memo, and predictive text input, making it a practical and convenient device to use. It also supported SMS, EMS, MMS, and email, making it possible for users to stay connected with their loved ones. The N342i also came with two pre-installed games - Raida and DeepWar. And for Java enthusiasts, this device supported DoJa 1.5.
Discontinued and Conclusion
The NEC N342i may have been a fan-favorite, but it was unfortunately discontinued after some time. Its dimensions of 86 x 47 x 24 mm, silver color, and sleek design made it a fashionable device to carry around. Although it lacked some modern features, it was undoubtedly an iconic device for its time. Today, you may find some die-hard fans still using their well-maintained N342i, reminiscing about earlier days when this feature phone was their trusted companion.
NEC N342i Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
GPRS
Class 10
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2004, Q4
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
86 x 47 x 24 mm (3.39 x 1.85 x 0.94 in)
Weight
90 g (3.17 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
CSTN, 65K colors
Size
Resolution
128 x 160 pixels
Other
Second external STN mono display (96 x 64 pixels)
Downloadable wallpapers