Qtek 8060 Comprehensive Review Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of Qtek 8060

The Qtek 8060 is an iconic device that was part of the early wave of smartphones in the mid-2000s, introduced in the first quarter of 2004. It was a part of the Microsoft Windows Mobile ecosystem which was a significant player in the mobile operating system space at that time. Designed to be a feature-rich mobile device, it catered to business professionals and tech enthusiasts who were looking for advanced functionality beyond basic telephony.

Design and Build

The Qtek 8060 measures 120 x 50 x 23.5 mm and weighs in at 130 grams, making it quite compact for its time. The device sports a classic candy-bar design which was prevalent during that era. Despite its compact size, it was designed to feel substantial in hand. It uses a Mini-SIM, which was standard for mobile phones during that period. The build quality is robust, designed to withstand the day-to-day activities of a busy professional.

Display

The Qtek 8060 features a 2.2-inch TFT screen capable of displaying 65K colors, with a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels and a density of approximately 128 pixels per inch (ppi). Although the screen size and resolution may seem modest by today's standards, at the time it provided adequate display quality for reading texts, browsing simple websites, and viewing images.

Hardware and Performance

Under the hood, the device is powered by a Texas Instruments OMAP 710 chipset with a 133 MHz ARM925 CPU. It includes 32MB of RAM and 64MB of ROM, with expandability options through an SDIO/MMC card slot. In terms of performance, the 133 MHz processor and the modest amount of RAM were sufficient for operating the available applications and managing multitasking to a limited extent.

Operating System and Software

Running on Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 for Smartphones, the Qtek 8060 offered a range of applications and functionalities that were particularly attractive to business users. It supported Pocket Internet Explorer (IE) for web browsing and had multi-language support with applications and interfaces available in seven different languages. This OS was known for its integration with Microsoft services and applications, such as Pocket Office, which included versions of Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Connectivity

The device supported GSM technology with bands available for GSM 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz. Data connectivity was supported by GPRS Class 8, while it lacked EDGE capabilities. For local connections, it boasted Bluetooth and an infrared port, which were common methods for wireless file transfer and syncing with PCs at the time. It used a proprietary USB for wired connections, indicating the need for specific cables and accessories for data transfer and charging.

Camera

The Qtek 8060 comes equipped with a single VGA camera. With a 0.3 MP resolution, it wasn’t designed for capturing high-definition images but was adequate for snapshot photography of the era, meant more for fun than professional photography. The lack of a selfie camera is another reflection of the device's focus on practical business use rather than personal multimedia creation.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable 1000 mAh Li-Ion battery, the Qtek 8060 offered a standby time of up to 90 hours and a talk time of up to 6 hours. While these figures might seem low compared to modern smartphones, they were sufficient for a standard business day given the less resource-hungry applications and features.

Features and Additional Specifications

The phone included a loudspeaker for hands-free communication and digital entertainment. It supported polyphonic and MP3 ringtones, allowing for some customization in user notifications. While it did not include a 3.5mm headphone jack, the device supported audio output via proprietary ports, common at the time for various mobile devices.

Legacy and Impact

The Qtek 8060 is an important part of mobile phone history, representing a phase when smartphones were transitioning from simple mobile phones to the feature-rich, multi-functional devices we know today. It combined mobile telephony with personal digital assistant (PDA) capabilities, offering a glimpse into the future of mobile computing despite its now-basic specifications.

Overall, while the Qtek 8060 might seem rudimentary when compared with contemporary smartphones, it was a formidable device during its time, boasting features that set a precedent for the multifunctional mobile devices that followed. Its design and features were geared towards tech-savvy users and professionals who sought portability without giving up on essential computing features.