Philips D812 Comprehensive Review Specs & Pricing

Overview of Philips D812

The Philips D812 is a feature phone released in February 2011, notable for its blend of basic smartphone functionalities with the durability and simplicity of classic mobile phones. As a discontinued model, it holds a special place for enthusiasts of early feature phones, offering a snapshot of technology in the early 2010s.

Design and Build

The Philips D812 features dimensions of 109.6 x 55.2 x 14 mm and a weight of 125 grams, making it compact and easy to handle. The device carries a solid yet understated design, largely focused on functional use rather than aesthetics. Its body accommodates a Mini-SIM card and is presented in a sleek black color, which appealed to many for its timeless elegance.

Display

Equipped with a 3.2-inch TFT resistive touchscreen, the Philips D812 displays up to 65K colors and offers a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels. This translates into a pixel density of approximately 146 ppi, which was quite standard for feature phones of its era. While the screen size and resolution may not stand out by modern smartphone standards, it offered a reasonable viewing experience for the uses anticipated at the time.

Camera Capabilities

The phone is outfitted with a single 3.15 MP autofocus camera on the back, which was capable of capturing photos and video. Despite the absence of a front-facing camera, the main camera catered well to the basic photography needs of users during its time, allowing them to capture moments with a reasonable degree of clarity.

Performance and Hardware

The Philips D812 operates on a feature phone platform and is powered by a modest processing unit typical of its time, optimized for efficient performance rather than high-end computing power. It includes 130MB of internal storage and supports storage expansion through a dedicated microSDHC slot, with a 2GB card typically included in the package.

Network and Connectivity

This device supports GSM and CDMA networks, providing connectivity across GSM 900 / 1800 bands and CDMA2000 1xEV-DO bands, offering users a broad range of network compatibility. Although it lacks WLAN capability, the inclusion of Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and USB micro 2.0 port provides adequate versatility in terms of data sharing and accessories connectivity.

Battery Life

The Philips D812 is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1100 mAh battery. This battery capacity offers a standby time of up to 100 hours and a talk time of up to 3 hours and 10 minutes. While this may seem minimal by modern standards, it was considered quite efficient for feature phones, given their lower power requirements.

User Interface and Features

Running on a feature phone operating system, the Philips D812 was designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind. It offers basic communication functionalities, including SMS, MMS, Email, and Instant Messaging, with a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser for limited internet browsing. The device also includes a set of preloaded games, offering entertainment options while maintaining its primary utility as a communication device.

Additional Features

One notable feature is the inclusion of an accelerometer sensor, adding to the device's usability by enhancing user interaction with certain applications. However, it lacks advanced features such as NFC or Wi-Fi, which reflects the technological standards and consumer expectations at the time of its release. GPS and A-GPS support are present, offering essential navigation capabilities despite the absence of an onboard radio.

Audio and Multimedia

While the Philips D812 does not include a 3.5 mm jack, it features a loudspeaker to accommodate calls and media playback. This limitation was not uncommon in feature phones, where space and functionality needed to be balanced carefully. The device's multimedia capabilities are fairly basic, primarily centering around its camera and modest gaming offerings.

Conclusion

The Philips D812 reflects a transitional phase in mobile technology, bridging the gap between basic mobile phones and more advanced smartphones. Its design and functionalities were well-suited to the needs of users in 2011, offering a mix of essential features with practical hardware specifications. Though it may not compete with the capabilities of modern smartphones, it remains a notable element of Philips’ mobile phone lineage, appreciated for its simplicity and reliability. For vintage tech enthusiasts and collectors, the Philips D812 stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of early mobile technology.