Philips W3500 Comprehensive Review of Features Prices Pros & Cons

Introduction to Philips W3500

The Philips W3500 was introduced to the market in December 2013, providing a range of basic smartphone features aimed at users looking for affordability coupled with essential functionality. Despite being discontinued, the W3500 remains a topic of interest, especially for those exploring the evolution of smartphone technology over the years.

Network Capabilities

The Philips W3500 is equipped with GSM/HSPA technology, supporting both 2G and 3G bands. This includes GSM 850/900/1800/1900 for both SIM 1 and SIM 2, as well as 3G bands HSDPA 900/2100. The device’s network speed capabilities are marked at HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, which reflects the standard connectivity speeds for smartphones at the time of its release.

Physical Design and Build

The phone’s dimensions are 142 x 73.6 x 9.7 mm, and it weighs 170 grams. These specifications were fairly typical for devices released around that time, providing a sturdy build without excessive weight. The use of Mini-SIM and dual stand-by options for SIM cards makes it versatile for users who required multiple network usages.

Display Features

Philips W3500 comes with a 5.0-inch TFT display, offering a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 65.9% and a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels with an aspect ratio of 16:9. The pixel density is around 196 ppi, highlighting a basic display quality suitable for tasks like browsing and media viewing, though it cannot compete with modern high-resolution screens.

Operating System and Performance

Running on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, the device is powered by a quad-core 1.3 GHz CPU. While the operating system was modern for its time, offering notable features and a user-friendly interface, it's worth noting that Android 4.2 is outdated by today’s standards. Nonetheless, the device provided adequate performance for basic tasks and applications during its operational time.

Memory and Storage

The Philips W3500 comes with 1GB of RAM, and supports external storage via a dedicated microSDHC slot, which is essential for expanding the device’s storage capacity beyond its internal limitations. This specification reflects the typical entry-level storage capacities available in devices during its release period.

Camera Specifications

The main camera of the W3500 is a 5 MP shooter, equipped with an LED flash and capable of recording video at 480p@30fps. While basic, this camera setup offers sufficient functionality for occasional photography under well-lit conditions. There is no dedicated selfie camera.

Sound and Communication Features

The device includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, both standard at the time for personal audio output. For wireless communications, it supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP. However, it lacks NFC capabilities and FM radio support.

Positioning and USB Connectivity

Integrated GPS provides basic navigation and location services while a microUSB 2.0 port allows for connectivity and battery charging. These features were the norm in smartphone designs during the early 2010s.

Sensors and Additional Features

Among the sensors present is an accelerometer to assist with functions such as screen rotation and certain gaming applications. However, the device does not contain more modern sensors that are found in current smartphones.

Battery and Power

The device is powered by a removable 2200 mAh lithium-ion battery. Given its energy requirements, this battery capacity allows for reasonable usage time per charge cycle, though not exceptional by current standards.

Market Positioning and Price

At its release, the Philips W3500 was priced at approximately 170 EUR, positioning it within the entry-level segment. This price was reflective of its feature set, aiming to provide utility without advanced technological investments.

Conclusion

The Philips W3500 serves as a representation of early 2010s smartphone technology, with specifications that are considerably modest compared to the current devices. For its time, it offered acceptable performance for the cost, focusing on core functionality. Despite being discontinued, the Philips W3500 exemplifies the progression of smartphone features, providing a tangible look at how mobile technology has evolved over the decade.