Philips S890 Comprehensive Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Design and Build Quality

The Philips S890, launched in September 2006, is a feature phone that reflects a compact and durable design typical of that era. With dimensions of 87.7 x 45.7 x 24.5 mm and weighing just 93 g, it is easy to carry and fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. The phone's miniature size makes it extremely portable, and it employs a Mini-SIM that was standard during that time. The device is available in black and gray colors, appealing to users who prefer minimalist designs.

Display

The Philips S890 sports a 1.72-inch TFT display supporting 65K colors. While modest by today's standards, at the time of its release it was sufficient for displaying text and basic graphics. The resolution stands at 128 x 160 pixels, yielding a pixel density of approximately 119 ppi. This ensures a basic quality for viewing images and text, adequate for a feature phone of that period.

Camera

Equipped with a single VGA camera, the Philips S890 allows users to capture modest quality images and videos. While the 0.3MP camera doesn't compete with modern smartphone cameras, it adds functionality for users who might occasionally need to take quick snapshots. The absence of a front-facing camera indicates that the S890 was primarily designed for basic communication rather than multimedia purposes.

Connectivity

Connectivity on the Philips S890 is limited to basic options typical of early GSM phones. Operating on 2G GSM 900/1800 bands, the device provides simple call and text messaging services. It supports GPRS for basic internet connectivity but lacks EDGE, Bluetooth, WLAN, and GPS. This limitation suggests its utility as a straightforward communication device rather than a multi-functional gadget.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the Philips S890 offers 64MB of storage, which may seem meager by modern standards but was adequate for storing contacts and call records for its time. The presence of a microSD slot allows users to expand storage capabilities, providing added flexibility for those wishing to store more messages or multimedia files. The phone also supports a basic phonebook and call record system, keeping track of up to 30 received, dialed, and missed calls.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 650 mAh battery, the Philips S890 offers sufficient battery life to meet the needs of a typical user in 2006. It provides a standby time of up to 200 hours and a talk time of up to 3 hours. The removable nature of the battery allows users to replace it when necessary, extending the overall lifespan of the device.

Operating System and Features

The Philips S890 runs on a feature phone operating system, focusing on essentials such as messaging and simple applications. It supports SMS, EMS, and MMS messaging formats, suitable for sending text, pictures, and multimedia messages. A WAP 2.0/xHTML browser allows users to access mobile web services within the limitations of GPRS connectivity. Additionally, the device comes pre-loaded with three embedded games, providing light entertainment for users.

Sound and Alerts

The mobile lacks a dedicated loudspeaker and does not feature a 3.5mm headphone jack, focusing instead on downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones for alerts. This reflects trends at the time of release, when personal mobile entertainment was not as prevalent as today and the emphasis remained on communication.

Conclusion

At its core, the Philips S890 is a quintessential feature phone that meets the basic communication needs of its users. With its compact design, modest display, and essential connectivity options, it embodies the typical functionality of mobile phones in the mid-2000s. Though discontinued today, its simplicity and efficient design continue to serve as a reference for those interested in the evolutionary journey of mobile technology.