Philips 639 Comprehensive Overview and Insight

Overview of Philips 639

The Philips 639 is a classic feature phone that was launched in the first quarter of 2004. It is a simple, compact, and easy-to-use handset that catered to the needs of users looking for basic functionality and reliable voice communication. Although it has since been discontinued, it remains a notable device from its era due to its design and practical features.

Design and Build

The Philips 639 is characterized by its small and compact design, making it a highly portable device. Its dimensions are 79 x 43 x 21 mm, and it weighs just 82 grams, which was quite lightweight compared to many other phones of its time. The phone is built with a simplistic aesthetic in mind, offering comfort and convenience for users who preferred straightforward, no-fuss devices. The device was available in three colors: Magical Pearl, Surprising Green, and Fantastic Grey.

Display

The Philips 639 features a TFT display capable of showing 65K colors. Although TFT displays are not as advanced as modern displays, they were quite common for feature phones of that era, offering good visibility. The screen resolution is 128 x 128 pixels, allowing for basic readability and user interaction via its interface. The display is suitable for performing essential tasks such as reading messages and making calls.

Network and Communication

The device supports GSM technology and operates on the 900 and 1800 MHz bands. Given its capabilities, the Philips 639 does not support modern 3G or 4G networks, but rather serves traditional GSM voice communication. It offers Class 10 GPRS connectivity for basic data services, though it lacks EDGE capabilities and modern wireless connectivity options like WLAN and Bluetooth.

Memory and Storage

The Philips 639 comes with an internal memory of 1.5MB. While this might seem minuscule by today's standards, it was deemed adequate for storing contacts, messages, and a few additional data files at the time. The phone does not feature a memory card slot, limiting its storage capacity to the internal memory alone. Users could manage up to 299 contacts in the phonebook, and it could store records of 30 received, dialed, and missed calls, which was more than sufficient for the typical user of a feature phone.

Sound and Alert Features

The phone lacks a loudspeaker or a 3.5mm headphone jack, which limits its capacity for audio playback. However, it does support vibration alerts and downloadable polyphonic ringtones, which was a popular feature for personalizing devices at the time. Users could even compose their own ringtones to make their experience more personalized.

Messaging and Browser Capabilities

The Philips 639 supports multiple messaging formats, including SMS, MMS, Email, and Instant Messaging, providing users with a variety of ways to keep in touch with others. The inclusion of MMS support allowed users to send multimedia messages, which was a relatively new feature for many at that time. As for web browsing, the phone features a WAP 1.2.1 browser, offering basic access to internet services, though limited compared to modern smartphones.

Additional Features

While the phone does not support Java applications, it does come preloaded with a simple game - Bricks, which provides on-the-go entertainment. It supports multiple languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Chinese, making it accessible to a wide audience around the globe. An infrared port is included, which was typically used at the time for limited file transfer and connectivity with other compatible devices.

Battery Life

The Philips 639 is powered by a removable Li-Ion 600 mAh battery. Despite the small battery capacity, the efficient power management of feature phones allowed for excellent battery life. Stand-by time is up to 400 hours, and talk time is up to 4 hours, allowing for extended use between charges, which remains one of its strong points.

Conclusion

The Philips 639 is a representation of early 2000s mobile technology, offering essential functionalities for communication and a few additional features for personalization and entertainment. Though it lacks modern capabilities and connectivity choices, its compact design and reliable performance made it a favorite among users requiring simplicity and efficiency in a mobile phone. Its simplicity and durability serve as a nostalgic reminder of how mobile phones used to be before the smartphone explosion.