Philips 350 A Comprehensive Review of Features Pricing and Performance

Introduction

The Philips 350 was introduced in the third quarter of 2003, entering the world of feature phones with its simple yet functional design. Despite its discontinuation, it remains a notable milestone in the journey of mobile communication technology. This article dives deep into the specifics and offerings of the Philips 350, giving a comprehensive overview of its features and capabilities.

Network and Connectivity

The Philips 350 operates on GSM technology, supporting 2G bands with frequencies of GSM 900 and 1800. In terms of data transmission, it is equipped with GPRS Class 10, ensuring basic packet-data communication. However, EDGE support is absent, reflecting the standards of its time when high-speed data was not yet a staple in feature phones. The device does not offer Bluetooth or WLAN connectivity, functioning more as a straightforward communication device than a multimedia gadget.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 106 x 46 x 17 mm and a weight of just 75 grams, the Philips 350 was compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry in pockets and handbags. It holds a Mini-SIM, which was standard during its time. The ergonomic design and simple layout provided users with straightforward navigation and usability, crucial for its target audience.

Display

The Philips 350 features an STN display capable of rendering 4096 colors. This type of display was common for budget and mid-range phones at the time, offering basic visual representation suitable for viewing messages and simple graphics. The resolution stands at 112 x 112 pixels with support for 7 lines of text, catering functionalities in basic phone operations, including messaging and browsing.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the Philips 350 offers a modest 2MB of storage, with no card slot available for memory expansion. The phone can store up to 300 contacts, and supports 8 fields and 20 contact groups. It also includes a feature known as "Photo call," a pioneering idea that added personalization by allowing users to associate pictures with contacts, though the phone does not have a built-in camera.

Sound and Alerts

The phone does not include a loudspeaker or a 3.5mm audio jack, which means audio experiences were limited. Alert types include vibration and downloadable polyphonic ringtones, which were popular at the time for their melodic and customizable user experience.

Communication Features

The Philips 350 supports SMS, EMS, MMS, and email messaging, which was versatile for its time, allowing users to remain connected through various formats of text communication. The inclusion of a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser enabled basic web surfing, which was a cutting-edge feature back in the early 2000s for a device of its category.

Additional Features

One of the friendly features of the Philips 350 was its pre-installed game "Brick," which offered light entertainment. The phone additionally supports Java, allowing some forms of application development and expansion, though limited by the overall system capabilities.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 720 mAh battery. It offers a standby time of up to 400 hours and a talk time of up to 4 hours, which was impressive given the size of the phone and the technology of batteries at that time. This made it reliable for daily use without frequent charges.

Final Thoughts

Available in four colors—Red, Silver, Black, and Blue—the Philips 350 was a testament to the era's blend of style and functionality. While it does not match the capabilities of today's smartphones, its significance lies in its reliable performance and the glimpse it provides into the evolution of mobile devices. The Philips 350 paved the way for advancements in mobile communication, reflecting how far technology has come.