Philips D908 All Specs Pros Cons and Pricing Revealed

Overview of Philips D908

The Philips D908 is a smartphone that emerged in the market during an era when smartphones were rapidly evolving. Released in March 2010, this device aimed at balancing traditional mobile phone functionalities with the enhanced capabilities offered by emerging smartphone technologies. Although it was eventually discontinued, the Philips D908 remains a noteworthy device for its time, particularly due to its unique blend of hardware and software specifications.

Network Capabilities

The Philips D908 supports a variety of network technologies, including GSM, CDMA, and EVDO. It is compatible with 2G bands using GSM 900 and 1800 frequencies, and for 3G connectivity, it supports CDMA2000 1xEV-DO. The device provides a maximal speed of EV-DO Rev.0 at 153.2 Kbps, which was considered adequate for browsing and basic data transmission at the time.

Release and Availability

Announced in December 2009, the Philips D908 was released in March 2010. Despite its promising features, the phone was eventually discontinued. Its impact, however, remains in how it contributed to the trend of integrating smartphone features into traditionally basic mobile phones during its era.

Physical Design and Build

The Philips D908 is designed with dimensions of 111 x 56.2 x 14.9 mm, and it weighs 129 grams. Such dimensions offer a compact build which was quite manageable in terms of portability. It features a Mini-SIM slot, and the overall design is classic with a touchscreen interface which was gaining popularity at that time.

Display Features

The device boasts a 3.2-inch TFT resistive touchscreen with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, translating to a pixel density of approximately 292 ppi. While the touchscreen technology of the time was not as responsive as today's capacitive screens, it was effective enough for most tasks. The display supports 256K colors (65K effective), contributing to its vibrant display.

Operating System and Software

Running on Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional, the Philips D908 aligns with other smartphones of the era that utilized Microsoft’s mobile operating system. The OS supports various applications, albeit limited compared to modern app marketplaces, but it provides functionality suitable for productivity and organizational apps.

Memory and Storage

In terms of memory, the Philips D908 offers 128MB of RAM alongside 256MB of ROM as internal storage. There is an expansion option through a dedicated microSDHC slot, and a 4GB card is included, allowing users to store additional data such as photos, music, and documents.

Camera Specifications

The main camera is a 5 MP shooter equipped with autofocus. It also features an LED flash to assist in low-light conditions. Video capture is possible at 480p@30fps, which at that time was a standard offering. The device also includes a front-facing camera, which was typically less emphasized in feature sets during this period.

Audio and Connectivity Features

The Philips D908 includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, facilitating standard audio connectivity. For wireless connections, it supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP for wireless audio streaming. Additionally, the phone offers GPS and A-GPS for navigation but lacks an FM radio, a common feature in devices from that time.

Sensors and Features

An accelerometer sensor is included, allowing for motion-detection features and screen orientation changes. The browser supports WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML, enabling basic web browsing experiences suitable for the mobile interface.

Battery Life

The Philips D908 is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1380 mAh battery. This battery offers a stand-by time of up to 180 hours and a talk time of about 4 hours and 30 minutes, reflecting the typical power efficiency expectations of the era.

General Aesthetics

Available in Titanium Gray, the Philips D908 presents a sleek and solid aesthetic. The choice of color and material conveys a professional and understated elegance that complements its function-focused design.

Conclusion

The Philips D908 stands as a testament to the transitionary phase in mobile technology. Equipped with essential smartphone capabilities, it exhibits specifications that underscore the incremental advancements in mobile tech around the turn of the decade. While it may not compare to the powerhouse devices seen today, the D908 provided significant mobile computing options at a time when such features were still becoming widespread.