Philips 659 Full Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview of Philips 659

An interesting piece of technology from the early 2000s, the Philips 659 stands as a notable entry into the mobile phone market. Announced during the second quarter of 2004, this mobile phone was eventually discontinued, yet it captured attention due to its design and features which were suitable for its time.

Design and Build

Philips 659 is known for its compact design with dimensions of 79 x 43 x 21 mm and a weight of just 82 grams, making it a portable and easy-to-carry device. Its build is suited for individuals seeking a lightweight device with practical dimensions that fit comfortably in the hand.

Display

In terms of its display, the Philips 659 features a TFT screen capable of producing 65K colors. Although the screen size is not specified, it offers a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels which, for its time, was decent enough for basic image and menu navigation display.

Network Capabilities

The Philips 659 operates on GSM technology, supporting 2G bands at frequencies of GSM 900 and 1800. This enables the device to handle voice calls and texts, but it lacks the capacity for high-speed data transfer, though it includes GPRS class 10 for basic data communication needs.

Memory and Storage

When it comes to memory, the Philips 659 offers 1.5 MB of internal storage. While this seems limited by today's standards, it was sufficient for storing essential contacts and messages. The absence of a card slot signifies limited expandability, reinforcing its role as a basic mobile communication device.

Camera Features

The Philips 659 features a single VGA camera at the back. With a resolution of 0.3 MP, it allowed for basic photography and video recording, a hallmark of the advancement of feature phones at that time. This camera was primarily useful for capturing simple, low-resolution images.

Battery Life

Equipped with a removable Li-Ion 600 mAh battery, the Philips 659 promises a standby time of up to 300 hours and a talk time of up to 3 hours. Such battery life was considered satisfactory for daily use in a world where mobile demands were not overly taxing on power consumption.

Sound and Communication

The phone does not feature a loudspeaker nor a 3.5mm jack. It supports vibration alerts and downloadable polyphonic ringtones to personalize call alerts. Given its proprietary USB, connectivity options are limited, plus the absence of Bluetooth, WLAN, and radio makes it quite basic.

Additional Features

Entry-level messaging capabilities on the Philips 659 include support for SMS, EMS, MMS, and Email. It features a WAP 1.2.1 browser for browsing the web at limited capacities and three simple games for entertainment. It supports multiple languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Chinese. Furthermore, it lacks Java support, making app expansion and functionality minimal.

Aesthetics and Colors

In terms of aesthetics, the Philips 659 was available in two color options: Blue Zone and Silver Wing, appealing to users who sought a phone with a visually pleasing exterior.

Conclusion

Overall, the Philips 659 was positioned as a basic mobile phone with practical functionality during its time. It catered largely to consumers looking for a straightforward communication device with basic multimedia support. Its simplicity, coupled with an elegant design, lay the foundation for its role as a reliable handset in its category. While it would not satisfy modern needs for connectivity and multimedia consumption, it remains an emblematic representation of early 2000s mobile technology.