NEC N342i

The NEC N342i - Revolutionizing the Flip Phone World

When we think of flip phones, the first thing that often comes to mind is the iconic Motorola Razr. But in 2004, another flip phone took the market by storm - the NEC N342i.

Announced in the fourth quarter of 2004, the NEC N342i quickly became a hit with its sleek design and standout features. However, as quickly as it gained popularity, it was also discontinued shortly after its launch.

Despite its short-lived lifespan, the NEC N342i is still remembered as a game-changer in the world of flip phones. Let's take a closer look at what made this device so special.

Compact Design for Maximum Portability

Measuring at just 86 x 47 x 24 mm and weighing 90g, the NEC N342i was compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around. Its flip form factor also made it convenient to slip into pockets or bags without taking up too much space.

But don't be fooled by its small size - the phone still offered a decent internal memory of 2MB, enough to store contacts, messages, and some media files.

Vibrant Display

The NEC N342i featured a Color Super Twist Nematic (CSTN) display with 65K colors, providing a vibrant and clear viewing experience for users. Its 128 x 160-pixel resolution was also considered impressive for its time.

In addition, the phone had a second external STN mono display with a resolution of 96 x 64 pixels. This display could be customized with downloadable wallpapers, allowing users to add a personal touch to their device.

Efficient Communication

The phone had a Mini-SIM card slot and could store up to 250 entries in its phonebook. Users could also keep track of their recent calls with 20 dialed, 20 received, and 20 missed call records.

Despite its compact design, the NEC N342i also included messaging features such as SMS, EMS, MMS, and email, making it a versatile device for communication.

Java Compatibility and Downloadable Games

The NEC N342i was one of the first phones to support Java technology, specifically DoJa 1.5, which allowed the installation of third-party applications. This opened up a whole new world of possibilities for users who could now download and play games, like Raida and DeepWar, on their phone.

In addition to its pre-installed games, DoJa 1.5 also offered predictive text input, an organizer, and a voice memo feature, making the NEC N342i a handy device for productivity.

Long Battery Life

The phone was powered by a removable Li-Ion 780 mAh battery, which provided a standby time of up to 200 hours and talk time of up to 3 hours. This was a huge plus for users who didn't have to worry about constantly charging their device.

Connectivity and Other Features

The NEC N342i may not have had advanced connectivity features like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, but it still offered users a way to connect to the internet through i-mode browser. This allowed users to access i-mode, a popular internet service that provided news, email, and other useful features.

Other notable features of the phone included a VGA camera, which was considered decent for its time, and downloadable polyphonic ringtones for personalized alerts.

Pigmanorm - The Iconic Silver Color

The NEC N342i was available in just one color - silver. But this color became iconic for the phone, and many still remember it as 'that stylish silver flip phone.'

The phone's silver color, combined with its sleek design, made it stand out in a market where flip phones were becoming increasingly common.

The End of an Era

Sadly, the NEC N342i was discontinued shortly after its launch, marking the end of its brief but impactful journey in the flip phone world. It was succeeded by other flip phone models and eventually, smartphones, but its legacy remains.

The NEC N342i may not have had all the advanced features of modern smartphones, but it was a groundbreaking device in its own right. Its compact design, vibrant display, efficient communication capabilities, and advanced features like Java compatibility and i-mode browser, made it a beloved choice for many users in 2004.

In conclusion, the NEC N342i may have been discontinued, but it will always be remembered as a revolutionary flip phone that left a lasting impression on the mobile phone market.

Latest NEC N342i Specs and Prices

LAUNCH

• Announced:  2004, Q4
• Status:  Discontinued

MEMORY

• Card slot:  No
• Phonebook:  250 entries
• Call records:  20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls
• Internal:  2MB

DISPLAY

• Type:  CSTN, 65K colors
• Size:  -
• Resolution:  128 x 160 pixels - Second external STN mono display (96 x 64 pixels) Downloadable wallpapers

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

MAIN CAMERA

• Single:  VGA
• Video:  No

SELFIE CAMERA

• -:  No

BATTERY

• Type:  Removable Li-Ion 780 mAh battery
• Stand by:  Up to 200 h
• Talk time:  Up to 3 h

CELLPHONE NETWORK

• Technology:  GSM
• 2G bands:  GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
• Gprs:  Class 10
• Edge:  No

SOUND

• Loudspeaker :  No
• Alert types:  Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic ringtones
• 3.5mm jack :  No

COMMUNICATIONS

• WLAN:  No
• Bluetooth:  No
• Positioning:  No
• Radio:  No
• USB:  Proprietary

FEATURES

• Sensors:  -
• Messaging:  SMS, EMS, MMS, Email
• Browser:  i-mode
• Games:  2 - - Raida, DeepWar + downloadable
• Java:  Yes, DoJa 1.5 - Predictive text input Organizer Voice memo

MISCELLANEOUS

• Colors:  Silver

Disclaimer: Specifications shown may be different from the actual product. We cannot guarantee that the information provided on this page is 100% correct. This content is provided for information purposes only. All information included herein is subject to change without notice.