Toshiba G710 Complete Specs Pricing and Insights

Overview of Toshiba G710

The Toshiba G710 is a smartphone that was initially announced in January 2008 and eventually released in September of the same year. Part of a robust line of mobile solutions, this device arrived during a transitional period when smartphones were rapidly developing in functionality. Marketed primarily towards business and professional users, the G710 stood out with its QWERTY keyboard and Windows Mobile 6 Standard operating system.

Design and Build

The physical design of the Toshiba G710 highlights a classic candy bar form with a distinctive full QWERTY keyboard. With dimensions measuring 115 x 62 x 13 mm and a weight of 130 grams, the device was relatively compact and lightweight for its time. Its construction employed a durable plastic material to withstand everyday use. The front of the device was dominated by a 2.46-inch TFT display capable of showing 65K colors at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. The screen, while small by today’s standards, was sufficient for reading emails and viewing calendar appointments.

Display Features

The G710's 2.46-inch screen offered users a display density of approximately 163 pixels per inch. Its TFT technology, while not as vibrant as current AMOLED displays, provided adequate clarity for text and basic graphical elements. The phone’s screen-to-body ratio of around 26.3% reflected the design norms of mobile devices from that era, prioritizing function over form.

Hardware and Performance

At the heart of the Toshiba G710 is the TI OMAP V1030 processor, clocked at 260 MHz. Coupled with 64MB of RAM and 128MB of ROM, the hardware package was suitable for running the lightweight Windows Mobile 6 Standard operating system. This spec combination afforded users the ability to manage their work needs effectively, including handling contacts, schedules, and emailing tasks. Users could also expand storage via the dedicated microSD slot, crucial for those needing more memory for work files and applications.

Operating System and Software

The device operated on Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 Standard, offering a host of productivity applications out-of-the-box. Core functionalities included a Calendar, Tasks, Notes, Windows Media Player, and an Internet Explorer-based browser for web access. Users would find the email client particularly useful, integrated with support for Microsoft Exchange.

Camera Capabilities

The Toshiba G710 featured a 2 MP main camera, which was quite standard for smartphones of that period. It offered basic photography capabilities and video recording. Although lacking in advanced features like autofocus or image stabilization, it provided business users with a simple tool to capture images for documentation purposes.

Connectivity and Communication

In terms of connectivity, the G710 supported GSM technologies and was equipped to handle both 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 bands, allowing for a global reach. It offered GPRS and EDGE for mobile data, though it lacked 3G capabilities—a limitation during its time. Bluetooth 1.2 including A2DP was supported for wireless audio and data transfer. Remarkably, the phone included GPS positioning, enhancing its utility for mobile professionals navigating new locations.

Battery Life

The smartphone housed a removable Li-Ion 1050 mAh battery, promising a talk time of up to 3 hours and standby of up to 200 hours. Given its moderate power demands, this battery life was seen as adequate, especially for handling a typical business day. Nonetheless, heavy users might find themselves needing to recharge midway through periods of extensive use.

Sound and Media

Audio on the Toshiba G710 included downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones and offered vibration alerts. However, the absence of a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack limited its media consumption appeal. Accessories were necessary for private listening through proprietary connections.

Price and Market Positioning

Upon release, the Toshiba G710 was priced around 220 Euros. Aimed at professionals seeking functional mobile solutions, it presented a value proposition given its QWERTY keyboard and GPS features. However, its positioning was complicated due to the competition offering more robust ecosystems and better connectivity support during that era.

Conclusion

While discontinued, the Toshiba G710 remains a testament to the evolution of smartphones. It reminds us of an era focused on productivity features, balancing between the simplicity required by professional users and the expectations of emerging smartphone capabilities. Though overshadowed by advancements in mobile technology, devices like the G710 paved the way for more sophisticated models, marking a milestone in mobile communication history.