Philips Xenium 99m The Ultimate Feature Breakdown and Price Guide

Overview of Philips Xenium 9@9m

Philips Xenium 9@9m, a feature phone announced in 2007 but unfortunately cancelled before its official release, was designed with a balance between functionality and simplicity. The device targeted users who preferred basic phone features without the complexity of advanced smartphones. Despite being cancelled, the Xenium 9@9m provided insights into mobile phone technology's evolutionary path, reflecting on its considered specifications and features.

Design and Build

The Xenium 9@9m features a classic bar design typical of the era, with dimensions of 105 x 50 x 17.3 mm and weighing around 109 g. It was designed to be compact and portable, making it an ideal choice for daily use. The phone utilizes a Mini-SIM card and exudes an executive feel with available colors including Executive silver and Rusted brown.

Display

At the heart of the user interface was a 2.5-inch TFT resistive touchscreen, displaying up to 256K colors. With a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels, the screen offers a basic but functional display quality suitable for text messaging and simple apps, falling in line with the expectations for feature phones of the period.

Camera

The Xenium 9@9m was equipped with a single 2 MP main camera, offering a basic level of photography, adequate for casual snapshots. This camera setup could also record videos, which added a multimedia aspect to the device despite its primary focus as a communication tool.

Battery Life

A standout feature of the Philips Xenium series has always been exceptional battery life, and the 9@9m was no exception. It packed a removable Li-Po 1280 mAh battery, which notably offered up to 740 hours of standby time and up to 8 hours and 30 minutes of talk time. This made the phone an ideal choice for users who valued a long-lasting, reliable device.

Memory and Storage

Internal memory capacity of the 9@9m was 70MB, which was a standard storage size for phones at that time, sufficient for storing contacts and essential data. Additionally, it featured a miniSD card slot that allowed for expandable storage, accommodating users requiring additional memory for photos, music, or other data files.

Network and Connectivity

The Xenium 9@9m operated on GSM networks and supported 2G technology, specifically GSM 900/1800/1900 bands. Though lacking modern connectivity options like WLAN, it included Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP support and an infrared port for file transfer. The USB connectivity via miniUSB allowed for charging and data transfer.

Audio and Sound

The sound capabilities of the phone included a loudspeaker and the ability to utilize downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones, which were customizable according to user preference. However, it did not feature a 3.5 mm audio jack, which limited its compatibility with standard headphones and earphones, requiring users to rely on Bluetooth alternatives.

Additional Features

Although a feature phone, the Xenium 9@9m came with a variety of useful applications. It supported messaging services such as SMS, EMS, MMS, and Email, broadening its communication capabilities. Additionally, a WAP browser allowed for basic mobile internet access. For entertainment, the phone supported downloadable Java games, providing a limited yet engaging user experience.

Operating System and User Interface

Operating on a proprietary feature phone OS, the device provided a basic yet intuitive interface catering to its time's users who sought functionality without complexity. It facilitated ease of use for making calls, sending messages, and engaging with basic applications.

Conclusion

The Philips Xenium 9@9m, although never released, represented a snapshot in the evolution of mobile technology, where long battery life, essential communication tools, and basic multimedia functions were highly valued over the sophistication of contemporary smartphones. It was designed to cater to a niche market segment that prioritized reliable connectivity and simplicity.