Philips Xenium X830 Comprehensive Review with Specs Prices and Pros & Cons

Introduction

The Philips Xenium X830, released in July 2009, was a notable feature phone at its time, promising robust battery life and a straightforward user experience. As mobile technology was transitioning rapidly during this period, the X830 managed to stand out with its emphasis on endurance and basic multimedia capabilities. This article delves into the intricacies of the Philips Xenium X830, highlighting its design, display, performance, camera features, battery life, connectivity options, and additional functionalities. It also touches upon its role in the market during its release period and its enduring features.

Design and Build

The Philips Xenium X830 is designed with practicality in mind. It measures 105 x 53 x 15.5 mm and weighs about 120 grams, making it compact and easy to handle. The phone's design was typical of its era, featuring a robust build quality with a plastic body that could withstand daily wear and tear. The phone uses a Mini-SIM, which was standard during the release period. Despite its relatively small size, the X830 managed to incorporate a touchscreen interface, which was becoming increasingly popular among mobile devices.

Display

The X830 features a 3.0-inch TFT resistive touchscreen, capable of displaying 256K colors. The screen's resolution sits at 240 x 400 pixels (Wide QVGA) with a 5:3 ratio, providing a basic but functional display suitable for its feature phone classification. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 46%, indicative of the larger bezels common in phones from this period. The resistive touchscreen technology may not offer the same responsiveness as modern capacitive screens, but it provided a satisfactory user interface for the phone's operational capabilities.

Performance and Hardware

Though specific details about the processor and RAM were not prominent, the Philips Xenium X830 was designed to efficiently handle the basic functions expected of a feature phone. Its internal storage is limited to 47 MB, but it supports a miniSD card slot expandable up to 8 GB, allowing users to store additional media and files. The phonebook supports photography integration, enhancing its simplicity and functionality for its users.

Camera Features

The Philips Xenium X830 houses a single 5 MP camera with autofocus and an LED flash. The camera can record video at 480p@15fps, a standard specification for feature phones of that era, making it competent for casual photography and video recording under appropriate lighting conditions. Despite its basic camera capabilities, the inclusion of a 5 MP lens was a highlight, catering well to users who desired basic multimedia functionalities on their phones.

Battery Life

One of the standout features of the Xenium X830 is its exceptional battery life. Equipped with a removable Li-Ion 1530 mAh battery, the phone offers an impressive standby time of up to 1080 hours and a talk time of up to 10 hours. Additionally, it provides music playback for up to 70 hours, a significant selling point for users valuing longevity in mobile use. Philips' focus on battery endurance made the Xenium series a preferred choice for individuals seeking minimal frequent charging.

Connectivity

The phone supports GSM technology, with coverage on 2G bands including GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900. It features GPRS Class 12 and EDGE Class 10 for mobile data, although these were limited compared to modern mobile internet solutions. The phone lacks Wi-Fi capabilities but includes Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, FM radio with RDS support, and a miniUSB 2.0 port for physical connectivity. The absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack is notable, as users would need to rely on specific accessories for audio connectivity.

Additional Features

The Philips Xenium X830 is equipped with an accelerometer sensor, supporting basic gesture-based functionalities. The phone supports a range of messaging options, including SMS (with threaded view), MMS, and Email, which were adequate for the predominant communication needs during its release. The WAP 2.0/xHTML browser allows for minimal web browsing suitable for low-data or urgent requirements. Java MIDP 2.0 enables additional applications and games, enhancing the entertainment aspect for users.

Market Role and Legacy

During its release, the Philips Xenium X830 was a strong contender among feature phones, particularly for users seeking a reliable, long-lasting mobile device. Priced around 250 EUR, it targeted individuals who prioritized battery life and straightforward usability over advanced smartphone capabilities. Although it has since been discontinued, the X830 remains a notable example of how feature phones catered to specific user needs, focusing on endurance and basic multimedia functions in a rapidly evolving mobile landscape.