Panasonic X700 Specs Prices Pros & Cons Unveiled

Network Technology

The Panasonic X700 operates on GSM technology, supporting GSM 900, 1800, and 1900 bands. It includes GPRS Class 10 for data transmission, ensuring decent connectivity speeds for the time. However, it does not support EDGE technology, which was common in mid-2000s mobile devices for faster data rates.

Launch and Availability

Announced in the first quarter of 2004, the Panasonic X700 was a promising device for its time but is now discontinued. It marked an important step in Panasonic's mobile ventures, integrating advanced features under a compact design framework typical of early smartphones.

Body and Build Quality

The device measures 97 x 49 x 24 mm and weighs approximately 107 grams, making it compact and lightweight. This form factor was ideal for portability and easy single-hand operation. The phone features Mini-SIM support and is crafted to be durable, although specific details about the material quality are not provided.

Display Features

Equipped with a 2.0-inch TFT display, the Panasonic X700 supports 65K colors with a resolution of 176 x 208 pixels. This equates to a pixel density of approximately 136 PPI, which was standard for mobile devices in that era. The screen-to-body ratio of about 26.8% indicates the presence of visible bezels, typical for phones from the early 2000s.

Platform and Performance

The phone runs on Symbian 7.0s with the Series 60 UI, powered by a 104 MHz ARM 920T processor. While this setup may appear basic by today’s standards, it was competent for running applications available during its time of release. The integration of Symbian OS provided users with a range of applications and functionalities, including basic smartphone operations like internet browsing and multimedia handling.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the Panasonic X700 comes with 8MB of storage space but supports expansion through a miniSD card slot, with 16MB included. Although limited, the memory capacity could accommodate basic apps, contacts, and messages, but major reliance was on the expansion slot for additional storage needs.

Camera Capabilities

The device features a VGA camera with capabilities of basic photography, enhanced by an LED flash for low-light conditions. Video recording is supported, although specifics on resolution are unspecified. The absence of a front camera aligns with the market norms of the period. While modest by today's standards, these features were valuable for multimedia functions back then.

Audio and Sound

Sound configuration on the Panasonic X700 includes a loudspeaker and support for vibration alerts along with downloadable polyphonic ringtones. It lacks a 3.5mm audio jack, indicating limited audio connectivity options and pointing to the use of proprietary ports for any headphone connectivity.

Communication and Connectivity

The device supports Bluetooth 1.1 and Infrared port options for wireless communication. While WLAN and positioning features are absent, these provisions nonetheless provided a means to connect with other devices for file sharing and synchronization. A proprietary USB port is available for wired data transfer.

Browser and Internet

For internet browsing, the phone uses WAP 2.0/xHTML, allowing basic mobile internet access. Given the dependence on GPRS and lack of advanced connectivity options like WLAN or EDGE, browsing would typically be limited in speed and data-hungry activities.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 780 mAh battery. Standby time is estimated between 80 to 250 hours, while talk time ranges from 2 to 6 hours, depending on usage. These figures reflect typical battery performances of early mobile phones, where power consumption was limited by fewer features and simpler displays.

Conclusion

The Panasonic X700, through its Symbian interface and compact design, represents a snapshot of the early smartphone era. Despite its discontinued status, it is remembered for its functional build and introduction of multimedia features within a basic mobile framework. Although limited by today’s technologically advanced standards, it played a part in the transitioning wave of mobile communications in the early 2000s.