Philips Xenium 99e Comprehensive Review & Insights

Overview of Philips Xenium 9@9e

The Philips Xenium 9@9e was a feature phone that marked its presence in the mid-2000s era of mobile technology. Announced in September 2005, it was discontinued after serving its course with considerable success. This phone held a noticeable place in its time for its battery life and basic multimedia capabilities. Although it was not a smartphone, the Philips Xenium 9@9e stood out for its simplicity and efficient performance that focused on communication and basic multimedia features.

Design and Build

The device came with dimensions of 89.9 x 47 x 25.5 mm, making it compact and easily pocketable. With a weight of 105 grams, it offered a balance between portability and sturdiness, making it easy to carry without feeling too light or insubstantial. It used a Mini-SIM and was available primarily in two color schemes: Executive Black and Elegant Silver, giving it a professional and sleek look that appealed to a wide range of users, from working professionals to everyday users. The robust design and practical form factor contributed to its popular reputation among consumers of that era.

Display

The Philips Xenium 9@9e was equipped with a UFB display capable of showing 65K colors, offering a satisfactory visual experience for the time. The screen resolution stood at 128 x 160 pixels, allowing for clear text and icons over 7 lines. Although it didn't sport a large display or high resolution by today's standards, for the time, it was adequate for reading messages, viewing the interface, and browsing basic WAP web pages.

Camera

In terms of photography, the Xenium 9@9e featured a single 1.3 MP main camera accompanied by an LED flash. While it didn’t offer video capturing capabilities or a selfie camera, the rear camera was sufficient for capturing basic photos, a novel feature at a time when not all phones were equipped with cameras. This addition made the phone appealing to users looking for a device within a reasonable budget that still allowed for some level of photography.

Storage and Memory

The internal storage was limited to 20 MB, and the device did not have an option for expandable memory via a card slot. Nonetheless, it was equipped to handle a fairly large contact list, capable of storing 1000 x 5 fields with photo call functionality. Call records consisted of entries for 30 received, dialed, and missed calls, reflecting its focus on efficient communication management rather than extensive multimedia storage.

Network and Connectivity

The Philips Xenium 9@9e supported GSM networks across 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz bands, and came with Class 10 GPRS for basic mobile internet access. Although it lacked advanced connectivity options such as Bluetooth and WLAN, it included an infrared port, which was a popular form of wireless data transfer at the time. The absence of EDGE, Wifi, and positioning technology illustrates the phone’s focus on essential mobile functions rather than advanced connectivity features.

Battery Life

One of the standout features of the Philips Xenium 9@9e was its impressive battery life. With a removable Li-Ion 1100 mAh battery, it boasted standby times of up to 850 hours and talk times of up to 8 hours and 30 minutes. This long battery life was a significant selling point and was particularly appealing to users who needed a reliable device without frequent recharging, aligning with the demands of mobile users at the time.

Mobile Features and Services

While the Xenium 9@9e lacked sensors commonly found in modern smartphones, it offered basic messaging services such as SMS, EMS, MMS, and Email, meeting the essential communication needs of its users. The phone also supported WAP 1.2.1 for basic web browsing and came pre-loaded with several games, with the capability to download additional Java-based (MIDP 2.0) games, providing entertainment in a time when mobile gaming was not yet prevalent.

Sound and Alerts

For audio, the phone contained a loudspeaker, and alert types included vibration and downloadable polyphonic ringtones. While it didn’t support a 3.5mm headphone jack, the emphasis was on clear communication alerts and pleasant audio for calls and notifications.

Conclusion

The Philips Xenium 9@9e was a quintessential example of mid-2000s mobile technology with its focus on battery longevity, robust design, and essential multimedia and messaging capabilities. While it lacked the advanced features of modern devices, it successfully addressed the primary need of staying connected and served as a practical choice for users prioritizing durability and straightforward communication over extra frills.