Philips 580 Complete Guide with Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of Philips 580

The Philips 580 was a feature phone announced in December 2006. However, it was eventually cancelled and never made it to the market. Despite its cancellation, the Philips 580 remains an interesting device to study due to its design and specifications that reflect a period when mobile technology was transitioning from basic feature phones to more sophisticated offerings.

Network Specifications

The Philips 580 was designed for use on GSM networks. Specifically, it supported GSM 900 and 1800 bands, which were common for mobile devices during that era. However, the device lacked GPRS and EDGE capabilities, indicating that it was not intended for mobile internet use, which was consistent with its role as a basic feature phone.

Launch and Availability

Although announced in December 2006, the Philips 580 was eventually cancelled, and hence, it never entered mass production or became available for consumers. The reasons for its cancellation remain unclear, but factors could include market competition, shifting consumer interests, or strategic reevaluations by Philips.

Design and Build

The phone featured compact dimensions of 93.3 x 45.6 x 16.4 mm and weighed in at 96 grams, making it lightweight and easily portable. The Philips 580 had a Mini-SIM slot, which was typical for feature phones of its time.

Display

Equipped with a CSTN display capable of displaying 65K colors, the Philips 580 had a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels. This display technology was common in feature phones, providing basic color representation and readability suited for text and simple graphics.

Memory and Storage

The device offered a meager internal storage capacity of 1MB with no card slot for expandable memory. Users could store contacts in the phonebook and had access to call records, which could log up to 30 entries of received, dialed, and missed calls.

Camera

The Philips 580 did not feature a camera, aligning with its design as an entry-level device focused on basic communication.

Sound

Sound features on the device were limited. It lacked a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack. Alert types included vibration and downloadable polyphonic ringtones, which were standard for mobile phones during that period.

Communication Capabilities

The Philips 580 did not support WLAN, Bluetooth, or any positioning technology. However, it included an FM radio, providing users with a basic entertainment and information source. The absence of USB connectivity also marked its limitation in data transfer capabilities.

Additional Features

The device included basic messaging via SMS and did not have internet browsing capabilities. A single embedded game was included, and the phone did not support Java, limiting its software and application capabilities significantly.

Battery Life

The Philips 580 was powered by a removable Li-Ion 680 mAh battery. It promised up to 600 hours of standby time and up to 6 hours of talk time, which was quite robust for a feature phone. The removable battery also meant users could swap in a fresh battery for extended use.

Appearance

The phone was available in black, a classic color choice that gave it a sleek and understated appearance. While simple, the design aligned with the user expectations for feature phones of its era, favoring functionality over flair.

Implications and Reflections

While the Philips 580 never reached consumers, studying its specifications allows for an understanding of the mobile landscape in the mid-2000s. Feature phones like the Philips 580 illustrate a time when mobile technology was on the cusp of major advancements. Devices served basic communication roles with minimal emphasis on multimedia and connectivity features. As technology evolved, consumer expectations grew, leading to the development of more capable devices.

Conclusion

The Philips 580 represents a snapshot of mobile technology during a transitional period. Its simplistic design and limited features underscore an era focused on reliable communication without the frills of modern-day smartphones. For those interested in the history of mobile devices, the Philips 580 serves as a reminder of where we've been and how far mobile technology has advanced.