Palm Treo 500v All Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Design and Build

The Palm Treo 500v was designed with a focus on combining practicality and style. Measuring 110 x 61.5 x 16.5 mm and weighing 120 grams, the device offered a comfortable grip and portability, important for business users and general consumers alike. The QWERTY keyboard was a standout feature, allowing for efficient typing which was essential for managing emails and messages on-the-go. Despite its compact design, the Palm Treo 500v came with a durable build, featuring a robust plastic body available in both black and white options.

Display

The Palm Treo 500v featured a 2.4-inch TFT display with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels, achieving a modest pixel density of about 167 ppi. Though not large by today's standards, the display was quite functional and capable of rendering 65K colors. This screen was suitable for reading emails, text messaging, and using various applications, although it might not have been optimal for multimedia consumption.

Performance

Under the hood, the device was powered by a 32-bit Intel XScale PXA270 processor clocked at 312 MHz. Operating on Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard Edition, the device was adept at handling basic productivity tasks, including email, scheduling, and document viewing. However, intensive tasks or applications could challenge the hardware capabilities. The device came with 150MB of internal storage, which could be expanded via a microSD card, providing some flexibility for additional data and applications.

Camera Capabilities

The Palm Treo 500v was equipped with a 2MP main camera. Though basic, it allowed users to capture photos and video, a valuable feature at the time for capturing quick snapshots and documenting moments. While it lacked the advanced features and type of image quality seen in today's phones, it was sufficient for casual photography needs.

Networking and Connectivity

Networking capabilities included support for GSM and UMTS technologies, covering 2G bands GSM 900/1800/1900 and 3G band UMTS 2100. With a maximum speed of 384 kbps, the Treo 500v could handle basic browsing tasks and email services. Although it did not support Wi-Fi, the device included Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP and a miniUSB port for connectivity, allowing for wireless audio and synchronization with computers.

Battery Life

The device was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery, offering a standby time of up to 240 hours and a talk time of approximately 4.5 hours. This battery life was considered decent for a smartphone during its release period, allowing users to stay connected throughout a workday without frequent recharging.

Sound and Entertainment

For audio, the Treo 500v incorporated a loudspeaker and supported a range of audio alert types including vibration and downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. However, it did not include a 3.5mm headphone jack, which might have limited audio options for users unless they utilized Bluetooth headsets or adaptors.

Software and Features

The Palm Treo 500v ran on Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard Edition, providing users with access to PocketIE for browsing, along with mobile versions of productivity tools like Mobile Office Suite. Although it lacked some sensors and positioning services like GPS, the software ecosystem and robust email capabilities remained appealing to business users.

Launch and Market Position

Announced in September 2007 and released in February 2008, the Palm Treo 500v targeted business professionals and users requiring a device capable of handling emails, task management, and basic browsing. Priced at approximately 90 EUR, it was positioned as a mid-range smartphone with its key selling points being the QWERTY keyboard and cohesive integration with Windows services. However, the device has since been discontinued.

Conclusion

The Palm Treo 500v stands out in the history of smartphones as a functional device that addressed the needs of its time. While its features now seem basic, when it was released, the combination of a QWERTY keyboard, Windows Mobile platform, and satisfactory connectivity options made it a compelling choice for certain market segments. As technology continues to evolve, the Treo 500v remains a memorable piece of mobile history.