i-mate JAMin vs Qtek 1010: A Look Back at Early Windows Mobile

The i-mate JAMin and Qtek 1010 represent a pivotal moment in the evolution of smartphones, bridging the gap between PDAs and mobile phones. Both devices ran Windows Mobile, but targeted slightly different user bases. The JAMin, with its known OMAP 850 chipset, offers a concrete performance baseline, while the Qtek 1010’s specifications are less readily available, requiring analysis based on Qtek’s market positioning at the time.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the user seeking a device with documented performance and a known chipset, the i-mate JAMin is the clear choice. Its TI OMAP 850 provides a measurable 200MHz ARM926EJ-S CPU, offering a predictable experience. The Qtek 1010, lacking readily available specs, is harder to recommend without further information.

PHONES
Phone Names i-mate JAMin Qtek 1010
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 900 / 1800
EDGEClass 10No
GPRSClass 10Class 8
TechnologyGSMGSM
Launch
Announced2006, Q12003
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions108 x 58 x 18.2 mm (4.25 x 2.28 x 0.72 in)129 x 73 x 18 mm (5.08 x 2.87 x 0.71 in)
SIMMini-SIMMini-SIM
Weight150 g (5.29 oz)201 g (7.09 oz)
Display
Resolution240 x 320 pixels, 2.8 inches, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density)240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~114 ppi density)
Size2.8 inches, 42 x 57 mm, 24.3 cm2 (~38.8% screen-to-body ratio)3.5 inches, 53 x 71 mm, 37.9 cm2 (~40.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT resistive touchscreen, 65K colorsTFT resistive resistive touchscreen, 4096 colors
 Handwriting recognition -
Platform
CPU200 MHz ARM926EJ-S-
ChipsetTI OMAP 850-
OSMicrosoft Windows Mobile 5.0 PocketPCMicrosoft Windows Mobile 2002 PocketPC
Memory
Card slotSD/MMC, up to 2 GBMMC/SD
Internal64MB RAM, 128MB ROM64MB RAM, 32MB ROM
Main Camera
Single2 MP-
VideoCIF-
Selfie camera
 No-
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Alert typesVibration; Downloadable polyphonic ringtonesVibration; Downloadable polyphonic, WAV ringtones
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth2.0No
Infrared portYesYes
PositioningNoNo
RadioNoNo
USBminiUSBProprietary
WLANWi-Fi 802.11b/gNo
Features
BrowserWAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (PocketIE)HTML (PocketIE)
 Pocket Office Voice memo MP3/AAC playerPocket Office Media player Voice memo
Battery
Stand-by-Up to 150 h
Talk time-Up to 5 h
TypeRemovable Li-Po 1200 mAh batteryRemovable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery
Misc
ColorsStylish black-
PriceAbout 220 EUR-
Camera
 -No

i-mate JAMin

  • Known and documented OMAP 850 chipset
  • Compact and pocketable design
  • Established Windows Mobile experience

  • Limited processing power by modern standards
  • Low-resolution camera
  • Resistive touchscreen requires stylus

Qtek 1010

  • Potential for unique Qtek software customizations
  • Possible larger screen size (speculative)
  • Brand recognition for Qtek users

  • Lack of publicly available specifications
  • Unknown processor performance
  • Potential for limited software support

Display Comparison

Without specific display details for the Qtek 1010, a direct comparison is difficult. The i-mate JAMin likely featured a standard QVGA (240x320) display common for the era, prioritizing readability over resolution. Both devices would have utilized resistive touchscreen technology, requiring stylus input. The Qtek 1010 may have offered a slightly larger screen size, a common Qtek design element, but this remains speculative.

Camera Comparison

Camera specifications for both devices were rudimentary by modern standards. Both likely featured a low-resolution camera (likely VGA or 1.3MP) primarily for basic photo capture and video calls. Image quality would have been poor, even in good lighting conditions. The Qtek 1010 may have included a slightly higher resolution camera, but the difference would be minimal. Neither device offered optical image stabilization or advanced image processing features.

Performance

The i-mate JAMin’s TI OMAP 850 chipset, featuring a 200 MHz ARM926EJ-S CPU, is the defining performance characteristic. This processor was capable of handling basic Windows Mobile tasks like email, contacts, and simple applications. The Qtek 1010’s processor is unknown, but Qtek often targeted the mid-range market, suggesting a similar ARM-based processor, potentially with a slightly lower clock speed. The OMAP 850’s integrated graphics would have provided basic 2D acceleration, sufficient for the UI and simple games. The Qtek 1010’s graphics capabilities are unknown.

Battery Life

Battery life on both devices would have been limited, typically lasting a day with moderate use. The i-mate JAMin’s battery capacity was likely around 1000-1500 mAh, typical for devices of that size and era. The Qtek 1010’s battery capacity is unknown, but likely fell within a similar range. Charging times were slow, requiring several hours to fully charge the battery via a proprietary connector.

Buying Guide

Buy the i-mate JAMin if you need a compact Windows Mobile device with a known processor for reliable, albeit limited, application performance. It’s ideal for users prioritizing a documented hardware experience. Buy the Qtek 1010 if you prefer a device from the Qtek brand, potentially offering a different form factor or software customization, but understand you’re entering a space with less publicly available technical detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the i-mate JAMin still usable in 2024?
While technically usable, the i-mate JAMin is severely limited by its outdated hardware and software. Modern websites and applications are unlikely to function correctly. It's primarily a collector's item or a device for enthusiasts interested in retro technology.
❓ What kind of applications can the i-mate JAMin run?
The i-mate JAMin can run applications designed for Windows Mobile 6.x. These include basic productivity tools like email clients, contact managers, and simple office applications. More demanding applications are unlikely to perform well due to the limited processing power and memory.
❓ Where can I find more information about the Qtek 1010?
Information about the Qtek 1010 is scarce. Online forums dedicated to older Windows Mobile devices may contain some user experiences and limited specifications. However, official documentation is difficult to find.
❓ Is it possible to upgrade the operating system on either device?
Upgrading the operating system on either device is generally not recommended. Attempting to install a newer version of Windows Mobile or a custom ROM can brick the device due to compatibility issues and limited hardware resources.