Dell Mini 3i Mobile Phone
November 17, 2009
The Dell Mini 3i Android Mobile Phone is Dell’s first plunge into the mobile phone waters. Being a hardcore PC and laptops maker, Dell describes this venture as the ‘world’s smallest Dell’. Currently, this mobile handset has been stocked by China Mobile for China and Claro for Brazil. Other markets are supposed to be getting the new handheld as well. However, nothing has been mentioned officially.
Dell’s first mobile phone has a 3.5” capacitive touch-display with a resolution of 360 x 640 pixels. A special stylus is supposed to have been designed for operating on this screen. This device is based on China Mobile’s Android Compatible open mobile platform, called OPhone. The Brazilian version might most probably be completely Android based. While the former might not be 3G and WiFi capable, the latter will mostly be 3G and WiFi compliant.
A Chinese website has described the unboxing of this smartphone. Translated excerpts are as follows. The package includes the handset, a stylus, headphones, necessary cables and manuals. The mobile phone measures 58mm x 122mm x 11.7mm, and weighs 103g. What makes this phone quite different from the others is that the façade houses only the screen and an etched Dell logo. There are no keys, to make it look overly crowded. You’ll find the keys located along the sides.
Some specialties of the Dell Mini 3i are its light and proximity sensors. Ambient light is analysed to present optimum screen brightness. The proximity sensor senses the distance of the phone from the user and turns out screen lighting when not required to save power. A 3MP camera with LED flash-light is present in this cell phone too. A miniUSB port is built into this mobile phone. There is no separate headphone socket, but a mini-USB to 3.5mm headphone jack converting cable comes in the package.
The Dell Mini 3i Smartphone does have the attractive looks to command appreciation. However, its performance still remains to be seen. If it does see a UK release, let’s hope it comes with full fledged networking features and essentials.
