Toshiba TS608 All Specs Prices Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview of Toshiba TS608

The Toshiba TS608, announced in June 2006, represents one of the slimmest feature phones of its era, designed to suit the needs of basic communication and multimedia applications. As a discontinued model, it is a testament to Toshiba's ability to blend design aesthetics with practical functionality.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 110 x 46.9 x 9.9 mm, the TS608 is notably sleek and portable, weighing only 81 grams. Its lightweight and compact form factor make it easy to carry without burden. The device features a silver finish, enhancing its visual appeal with a modern and elegant look.

The phone uses a Mini-SIM card slot, consistent with the standard of phones from its time.

Display

The TS608 is equipped with a 1.93-inch TFT display, offering 256K colors. Though modest by today's standards, its 176 x 220 pixel resolution provided clarity and vibrant colors for the period's feature phones. Despite an approximate 22.7% screen-to-body ratio, it was adequately suitable for the device's size.

Camera

For photography, the TS608 includes a single 1.3 MP rear camera. While minimal, it allowed for basic image capturing and video recording, providing adequate functionality for users needing simple visual documentation.

Memory and Storage

The internal memory of the TS608 offers a meager 8MB of storage, typical of feature phones during that era. However, the inclusion of a dedicated microSD slot allowed users to expand the storage, accommodating more media files and applications as needed.

Network and Connectivity

This device operates on GSM technology, supporting 2G bands at GSM 900 and 1800 frequencies. Connectivity options include GPRS Class 10 for basic internet access. Notably, the absence of EDGE technology underscores its basic data transfer capabilities.

Bluetooth 1.2 provided a wireless communication option, albeit with limited range and speed compared to modern standards. The device lacked WiFi, positioning navigation, and used a proprietary USB connection for data transfer and charging. However, it included an FM radio for entertainment.

Sound and Multimedia

Despite the absence of a loudspeaker, the TS608 supported vibration alerts and downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. The lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack steered users towards proprietary audio solutions, which was a common trend at the time.

Software and Features

Running on a feature phone operating system, the TS608 offered messaging capabilities like SMS, EMS, MMS, and Email. Web browsing was achievable via WAP 2.0/xHTML and WSP. Support for Java MIDP 2.0 enabled basic gaming and application downloads, adding a layer of personalization and functionality to the user experience.

Battery Life

The removable Li-Ion battery supported a standby time of up to 150 hours and a talk time of up to 2.5 hours. While this may seem limited today, it sufficed for the communication needs of users at the time, especially considering the minimal power demands of the non-touchscreen device.

Conclusion

The Toshiba TS608 offers a snapshot of mid-2000s mobile technology. Its minimalist design and basic functionalities reflect the technological trends and consumer demands of the time. Although discontinued, it remains a testament to Toshiba's efforts in creating stylish, functional, and affordable mobile communication devices. With the rapid evolution of technology, the TS608 is an intriguing glimpse into the past, illustrating the rapid pace of advancement in the mobile phone industry.