Philips 636 Unveiling Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Introduction to Philips 636

The Philips 636 is a feature phone that was launched in the second quarter of 2004. Designed at a time when mobile technology was evolving rapidly, this device captures a snapshot of early mobile design with its compact structure, CSTN display, and essential functionalities. Though discontinued, it remains a point of interest for technology enthusiasts and collectors alike for its straightforward design and utilization of existing mobile technology.

Design and Build

The Philips 636 measures 79 x 43 x 21 mm and weighs 82 grams, making it a compact and lightweight device. The design is straightforward and practical, catering to its function as a reliable communication tool. The phone's body is sleek with a firm grip, available in several colors including Blue Pacific, Red Temptation, and Silver Knight, ensuring it appealed to different aesthetic preferences.

Display

This feature phone comes with a CSTN display that supports 65K colors. The screen resolution is 128 x 128 pixels, which is suitable for basic navigation and viewing tasks. The display is capable of showcasing basic graphics and text, emphasizing functionality over high-resolution display capabilities. While small by today's standards, the screen was adequate for the mobile tasks of its time.

Memory and Storage

The internal memory is 1.5MB, which was typical for phones in its category during that time period. Although there is no card slot for expandable storage, the phonebook can store up to 300 contacts with eight fields each. Additionally, users have the capacity to store 30 call records categorized into received, dialed, and missed calls. Despite its limited storage, the organization of contacts and call records makes it functional for essential communication.

Connectivity and Network

The Philips 636 supports GSM technology with 2G bands operating on GSM 900/1800 frequencies. It offers GPRS class 10 for basic internet services, enough for accessing WAP 1.2.1 browsed services, SMS, MMS, and email. Device connectivity does not include advanced features like WLAN or Bluetooth, save for a USB option for direct connection. The absence of modern connectivity options is in line with the phone’s practicality-focused design.

Sound and Entertainment

While not designed for high-fidelity sound experiences, the Philips 636 provides basic audio functionalities. It does not support loudspeaker or a 3.5mm headphone jack which were less common in mobile phones at that time. Users can download polyphonic ringtones, and there's a composer for customizing ringtones. For entertainment, the phone houses a classic game, Bricks, with additional titles available for download through In-Fusio services.

Battery Life

The Philips 636 is powered by a removable Li-Ion 600 mAh battery. Although small by today's standards, this battery could support up to 400 hours on standby and roughly 4 hours of talk time. These metrics positioned the device as suitable for prolonged use without frequent recharging, a key feature for users dependent on their mobile phones for communication throughout the day.

Messaging and Language Support

Supporting SMS, MMS, and email, the device was designed to provide multiple forms of messaging to keep users connected. As an international product, it includes language support for English, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Chinese, catering to a wide demographic and demonstrating Philips' global market approach.

Conclusion

The Philips 636 remains an icon of its era, embodying the technology of its time. It provided users with robust communication tools wrapped in an enduring, modest design. Its lack of modern features such as high-speed internet or high-resolution displays highlights an era in mobile development focused more on communication and less on multimedia functions. Today, it may serve as a reminder of the simplicity of early mobile phone design and the journey of technological evolution that brought about the complex smartphones of the present day.