NEC Terrain

A Game-Changer for the Rugged Smartphone Industry: A Look at the NEC Terrain

Not too long ago, rugged smartphones were seen as bulky, unattractive, and catering only to a niche market of outdoor enthusiasts and workers in hazardous environments. But all that changed when the NEC Terrain was released in June 2013 with its sleek design, high-end features, and impressive durability. The NEC Terrain was a game-changer in the rugged smartphone industry, setting a new standard for what a rugged smartphone could be.

Announced in June 2013 and released the same month, the NEC Terrain was a highly anticipated device. And it did not disappoint. The phone features a 3.1 inch TFT display with a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 2. While the screen may seem small compared to today's standards, it was perfectly sized for a rugged smartphone and provided a decent 36.2% screen-to-body ratio.

But the standout feature of the NEC Terrain is its ruggedness. It was IP67 dust and water-resistant for up to 1m for 30 minutes and was MIL-STD-810G compliant, meaning it could withstand drops, shocks, and vibrations. This made it a perfect choice for those who work in challenging environments or enjoy outdoor activities.

Under the hood, the NEC Terrain ran on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and was powered by a Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus chipset, dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait CPU, and Adreno 225 GPU. These specifications may seem outdated now, but they were top-of-the-line at the time of the phone's release, providing smooth performance and efficient multitasking.

The phone had 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, which could be expanded with a microSDHC card. While the storage capacity may seem limited, it was more than enough for a rugged smartphone intended for essential use rather than media consumption.

In the camera department, the NEC Terrain featured a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera with autofocus and LED flash, capable of recording 720p videos at 30fps. While this may not seem impressive by today's standards, it was a decent camera for a rugged smartphone in 2013.

On the front, there was a VGA selfie camera, which may seem underwhelming, but again, it was more than enough for the intended use of the phone. Plus, the main focus of the NEC Terrain was its durability and not its camera capabilities.

The phone had a QWERTY keyboard, which was a rarity at the time of its release. It provided a comfortable typing experience for those who prefer physical keyboards over on-screen ones. The phone also had a loudspeaker with stereo speakers and a 3.5mm jack, allowing users to enjoy music and videos without the need for earphones.

In terms of connectivity, the NEC Terrain supported GSM, HSPA, and LTE technology for speedy internet browsing and data transfer. It had Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, NFC, FM Radio, and microUSB 2.0. These features were on par with other high-end smartphones at the time and made the NEC Terrain a competent device for communication and entertainment.

The phone was powered by a removable 1900 mAh Li-Ion battery, which provided a standby time of up to 348 hours and talk time of up to 10 hours. These may not seem impressive by today's standards, but considering the ruggedness of the phone and its intended use, it was more than enough to get through a day's work without worrying about running out of battery.

The NEC Terrain came in only one color, black, giving it a sleek and professional look. It was also released at a price of about 330 EUR, which may have seemed steep for a rugged smartphone, but considering its features and durability, it was well worth the cost.

Unfortunately, the NEC Terrain did not receive the success it deserved. It was discontinued shortly after its release due to low sales. However, its impact on the rugged smartphone industry was undeniable. It opened up a new market for rugged phones with its sleek design and high-end features, paving the way for other manufacturers to follow suit.

In conclusion, the NEC Terrain was a game-changer in the rugged smartphone industry. It combined durability with high-end features, making it a versatile device that appealed to both outdoor enthusiasts and workers in challenging environments. While it may have been discontinued, its legacy lives on, and it will always be remembered as a groundbreaking device in the world of rugged smartphones.

Latest NEC Terrain Specs and Prices

LAUNCH

• Announced:  2013, June. Released 2013, June
• Status:  Discontinued

PLATFORM

• Operating System:  Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
• Chipset:  Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus
• CPU:  Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait
• GPU:  Adreno 225

MEMORY

• Card slot:  microSDHC (dedicated slot)
• Internal:  8GB 1GB RAM

DISPLAY

• Type:  TFT
• Size:  3.1 inches, 29.8 cm2 (~36.2% screen-to-body ratio)
• Resolution:  640 x 480 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~258 ppi density)
• Protection:  Corning Gorilla Glass 2

BODY

• Dimensions:  127.5 x 64.5 x 14.5 mm (5.02 x 2.54 x 0.57 in)
• Weight:  171.8 g (6.07 oz)
• Keyboard:  QWERTY
• SIM:  Yes - IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins) MIL-STD-810G compliant

MAIN CAMERA

• Single:  5 MP, AF
• Features:  LED flash
• Video:  720p@30fps

SELFIE CAMERA

• Single:  VGA
• Video:  -

BATTERY

• Type:  Li-Ion 1900 mAh, removable
• Stand by:  Up to 348 h
• Talk time:  Up to 10 h

CELLPHONE NETWORK

• Technology:  GSM / HSPA / LTE
• 2G bands:  GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
• 3G bands:  HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100
• 4G bands:  4, 17
• Speed:  HSPA, LTE

SOUND

• Loudspeaker :  Yes, with stereo speakers
• 3.5mm jack :  Yes

COMMUNICATIONS

• WLAN:  Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot
• Bluetooth:  4.0, A2DP
• Positioning:  GPS
• NFC:  Yes
• Radio:  FM radio
• USB:  microUSB 2.0

FEATURES

• Sensors:  Accelerometer, proximity, compass

MISCELLANEOUS

• Colors:  Black
• Price:  About 330 EUR

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.