Philips W632 Comprehensive Guide to Specs Prices Features & Drawbacks

Introduction to Philips W632

The Philips W632 is a smartphone that was announced and released in May 2012. While it has been discontinued, the device represents an interesting piece of mobile technology from the early 2010s. Featuring a blend of specifications that cater to the basic smartphone user, the Philips W632 aimed to capitalize on the growing demand for Android-powered devices during this period.

Network and Connectivity

The Philips W632 supports GSM and HSPA technology, providing connectivity options that were standard for its time. It operates on 2G bands GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 on both SIM slots, allowing for dual SIM functionality with Mini-SIM sizes. For 3G connectivity, it supports HSDPA 850 and 2100 bands, offering HSPA speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps for downloads and 5.76 Mbps for uploads. This dual connectivity option allowed users to switch between two networks for better signal reception and separate personal from professional calls.

Design and Body

The Philips W632 is designed with practicality in mind. It features dimensions of 123.4 x 63 x 14 mm and weighs approximately 164.5 grams. This makes it relatively compact and lightweight, offering ease of handling and portability. The device’s exterior is finished in a subtle gray color, providing a professional and understated look. With its dual SIM capability, it was particularly appealing to users who needed to manage more than one mobile line.

Display Features

The smartphone is equipped with a 3.8-inch TFT display that supports 256K colors, offering a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels with a 5:3 aspect ratio. The screen provides a pixel density of approximately 246 pixels per inch (ppi), ensuring clear and vibrant visuals for the user. With these specifications, the display is suitable for basic usage such as browsing and media playback, although it lacks the vividness and clarity of higher-end smartphones from the same era.

Operating System and Performance

Philips W632 runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, which was a popular version of Android during the device's release. It is powered by a Mediatek MT6573 chipset with an 800 MHz Cortex-A9 CPU and a PowerVR SGX531 GPU, providing adequate performance for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light browsing. However, its performance may seem limited when running modern applications that require more processing power.

Memory and Storage

The device comes with 512MB of internal storage, which was modest even by the standards of its time. However, it includes a dedicated microSDHC card slot, allowing users to expand storage for additional applications, media, and files. The provision of expandable storage was essential for users who needed additional space beyond what was available internally.

Camera Capabilities

The Philips W632 features a single 5 MP autofocus camera on the rear with an LED flash for improved low-light photography. The camera supports basic photography needs, suitable for casual shooting requirements. It also includes a front-facing selfie camera, although the specifications are minimal, making it mainly useful for video calls rather than high-quality selfies.

Audio and Sound

In terms of sound, the device is equipped with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm jack, allowing for conventional audio output via compatible headphones and speakers. This was a standard feature for most smartphones and facilitated both casual listening and private calls.

Connectivity Features

The Philips W632 comes with several connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and the ability to act as a hotspot for sharing internet connectivity with other devices. Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP and EDR provides wireless connectivity for peripheral devices. The device also supports GPS with A-GPS for location services, although it lacks a built-in radio function. For wired connections, a USB 2.0 interface is available for data transfer and charging.

Sensors and Additional Features

Simplicity is a key attribute of the Philips W632, evident in its limited sensor suite, which includes only an accelerometer. This sensor enables basic screen rotation functionality but leaves out more advanced sensors found in contemporary devices.

Battery Life

The device houses a removable Li-Ion 2100 mAh battery, which provides a standby time of up to 850 hours and a talk time of up to 10 hours. This battery capacity offers decent longevity, sufficient for average daily use. The removable nature of the battery also allows users to replace it easily, extending the overall lifespan of the device.

Conclusion

The Philips W632 is a device that caters to users who require basic smartphone functionality. Its dual SIM support, compact design, and expandable storage are features that appealed to many users in its time. Despite its discontinued status and limitations compared to modern smartphones, it remains a piece of technological history that reflects the transition period of mobile technology in the early 2010s.