Philips W736 Comprehensive Review and Pricing Analysis

Network

The Philips W736 operates on GSM and HSPA technologies, supporting a variety of bands to ensure worldwide connectivity. It supports 2G bands GSM 900, 1800, 1900 for both SIM 1 and SIM 2, making it a versatile dual SIM device. For 3G connectivity, Philips W736 supports HSDPA 900 and 2100 bands. With a speed capacity of HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps, it offers decent browsing and download speeds suitable for online activities at the time of its release.

Launch

The Philips W736 was announced and released in November 2012. Since then, it has been discontinued, but it provides an insight into the mobile technology developments and expectations from devices at that period. This device marks an era when smartphones were becoming more advanced but were still far from the capabilities we see in today's devices.

Body

Featuring dimensions of 126.6 x 65.4 x 12.1 mm, the Philips W736 takes on a compact form factor for its time with a weight of 167.5 grams. Its design allows for comfortable hold and operation, although a bit bulky compared to today's sleek models. The phone supports Dual SIM functionality using Mini-SIM cards and allows dual standby, catering to users who need to manage two different numbers or operators.

Display

The phone is equipped with a 4.0 inches TFT display, taking up approximately 55% of the screen-to-body ratio. With a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, it offers moderately sharp and clear visuals that hold up for casual use. The 5:3 aspect ratio with a pixel density of about 233 ppi ensures legible texts and decent image representation – suitable for the level of media consumption and app usage at the time.

Platform

Running on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, Philips W736 takes advantage of the features and functionalities offered by this version of the Android platform. It is powered by a Mediatek MT6577 chipset with a dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU, which gives it reasonable multitasking capability and processing power for handling various applications. The PowerVR SGX531u GPU supports graphics processing, enabling basic gaming and video playback functionalities.

Memory

The device comes with an internal storage of 4GB, out of which about 2GB is available for users. While this is limited for modern standards, it was standard for mid-range phones at the time. However, the presence of a dedicated microSDHC card slot allows for expanded storage capability to meet additional app and media storage needs.

Main Camera

Sporting a single 5MP rear camera equipped with autofocus, the Philips W736 allows for capturing standard quality images. The LED flash assists in low-light conditions, enhancing the usability of the camera for night photography. Video recording is also possible, allowing users to document moments with reasonable clarity.

Selfie Camera

The device includes a front-facing camera for basic selfie and video calling needs, although specific details about its resolution are not highlighted. This addition is in line with the growing trend at the time of including multiple cameras on smartphones to serve different photography and communication purposes.

Sound

The Philips W736 is equipped with both a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The inclusion of the 3.5mm jack allows users to connect to external audio devices including headphones and speakers, ensuring versatility in media consumption at a personal or shared level.

Comms

Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g support allows for wireless internet connectivity essential for app use and browsing. Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR provides seamless pairing with other devices for file sharing or connecting to peripherals. GPS functionality aids in navigation with apps supporting this feature. However, the absence of NFC and Radio features does limit the Philips W736 when compared to other contemporary devices that offered these capabilities. A microUSB 2.0 port is available for charging and data transfer, consistent with the standard at the time.

Features

The device includes basic sensors such as an accelerometer and proximity sensor to enhance user interaction and enable app functionalities like screen rotation and automatic screen-off during calls.

Battery

Running on a removable Li-Ion 2400 mAh battery, the Philips W736 can last up to 667 hours on standby and offers up to 11 hours of talk time on 3G networks. This battery life was competitive in the smartphone market at that time, providing users with ample time between charges during regular use.

Miscellaneous

The Philips W736 was available in a grey color option, presenting a neutral and professional look suitable for a wide range of users. This choice aligns with the typical color offerings of phones during the period, focusing on classic and universally appealing shades.