Philips TM700 Comprehensive Review & Price Guide

Overview

The Philips TM700, introduced in 2009, stands as a noteworthy feature phone from Philips, known for its simplistic yet efficient design aimed at providing basic communication functionalities. Released in the third quarter of 2009, this feature phone represents a time when mobile devices began transitioning from basic communicators to multimedia-supporting gadgets. Philips TM700 may not boast advanced features found in smartphones, yet it sure offers robustness and reliability typical of feature phones released during its era.

Design and Build Quality

The Philips TM700 sports a compact and robust design with dimensions of 112.4 x 51.8 x 16.5 mm, making it fit comfortably in hand and pocket. Weighing around 111.9 grams, it offers a substantial feel without being cumbersome. The device is equipped with a Mini-SIM slot, which was a standard feature in phones of that period. The uncomplicated design emphasizes functionality, making it easy to use for anyone familiar with mobile phones from that era.

Display

Featuring a 2.2-inch TFT screen capable of displaying 65K colors, the display of the Philips TM700 is modest by current standards but provided adequate clarity and brightness for its time. The screen has a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels with a 4:3 aspect ratio, equating to a pixel density of approximately 182 ppi. The display suffices for basic tasks such as reading text messages and browsing simple web pages via the WAP 2.0/xHTML browser.

Camera

The Philips TM700 is equipped with a singular 2 MP rear camera capable of capturing modest photographs. It also supports video recording at QCIF resolution at 15fps. While the camera's capabilities are limited, it serves basic photography needs when a higher-quality camera isn't required. There's mention of a front-facing camera, which was less common in feature phones, but it's primarily suitable for simple video or selfie purposes.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 970 mAh battery, providing a commendable battery life. On a full charge, the phone stands by for up to 280 hours and offers talk time up to 6 hours. This extended battery performance makes it ideal for users who require a reliable phone that lasts throughout the day without frequent charging, a typical advantage of many feature phones of its era.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the Philips TM700 comes with a modest 6MB of storage, which can be expanded through a dedicated microSD slot. The presence of a phonebook and the ability to record up to 30 calls (received, dialed, and missed) are essential features for users with basic storage and contact management needs. Although limited by today’s standard, the storage option was acceptable at the time of its release.

Connectivity

The phone supports GSM/UMTS networks, making it suitable for basic global communications with 2G and 3G capabilities. It offers GSM bands at 900/1800 frequencies and UMTS at the 2100 band. Connectivity options like Bluetooth support are available, although it lacks WLAN, GPS, and radio functionalities. The device includes a miniUSB 1.1 port for charging and data transfer, a standard of that era.

Communication Features

Designed to handle basic messaging efficiently, the Philips TM700 supports SMS and MMS messaging. Users can enjoy pre-installed games for entertainment and benefit from Java support for basic applications compatible with the MIDP 2.0 standard, a prevalent technology for mobile applications during the early 2000s.

Sound Quality

The Philips TM700 includes a built-in loudspeaker for hands-free listening but does not support the 3.5mm audio jack, limiting audio enhancements via external headphones that were becoming more popular at the time. Despite this, the sound quality for calls and basic media consumption remains decent considering its market position as a feature phone.

Market Position and Legacy

Philips TM700, although discontinued, remains a good representation of the transitional devices leading towards more advanced mobile technology. It held a niche for users valuing durability, basic smartphone functionality, and affordability, ensuring that essential communication needs were met. Its enduring battery life, coupled with a straightforward interface, left a mark on users wanting less complexity and more efficiency from their mobile phones.

Conclusion

The Philips TM700 exemplifies the feature phone era with its blend of essential functionalities and durable design. While it has been eclipsed by modern smartphones in terms of features and capabilities, it undeniably offers a snapshot of mobile technology at a time when consumer expectations were beginning to shift towards more integrated and multimedia-capable devices. Philips TM700 is a testament to an era focused on basic communication and the simplicity of mobile technology.