Unveiling Toshiba TS808 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview

The Toshiba TS808 is a feature phone that was announced in the third quarter of 2005. Although it is a device from a bygone era, it serves as an interesting examination of mobile phone technology in the mid-2000s. With its compact design and basic functionality, it appealed to users who needed a straightforward device for communication purposes.

Design and Build

The Toshiba TS808 features a classic candy-bar form factor popular during its time of release. The device measures 98 x 47 x 23 mm and weighs 125 grams, making it relatively easy to handle and carry in a pocket or purse. Constructed primarily from plastic materials, the phone maintains a robust feel without appearing bulky or cumbersome. The use of a Mini-SIM card and a removable Li-Ion battery highlights the device's era, offering users easy access for component updates and replacements.

Display

Equipped with a 2.4-inch TFT display capable of showing 256K colors, the Toshiba TS808's screen was typical for phones of its class. The display resolution of 240 x 320 pixels provides a decent viewing experience, though limited by today's high-definition standards. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 38.7%, offering enough visual real estate for simple user interface navigation and basic mobile functionality.

Camera Capabilities

The Toshiba TS808 is fitted with a single 1.3 MP rear camera. While basic by today's standards, this was sufficient at the time for taking quick snapshots and low-resolution videos. Even though the phone does not include a front-facing camera, its main camera was a valuable feature for capturing memories on a portable device.

Performance and Storage

As a feature phone, the TS808 focuses more on cellular capabilities than on multimedia and heavy applications. It comes with 10MB of built-in storage, which can be expanded via a miniSD card slot. Call records, both dialed and received, are capped at 20 entries each, providing basic but effective call management.

Connectivity and Network

The device supports both GSM and UMTS technologies, covering 2G bands of GSM 900/1800/1900 and a 3G band of UMTS 2100. With a speed of up to 384 kbps, the phone facilitated moderate connectivity for its time, enabling basic data tasks such as WAP browsing and emailing. Although WLAN is not supported, the device features Bluetooth and an infrared port for local connectivity and data transfer.

Audio and Sound Technology

The audio functionalities of the Toshiba TS808 include a loudspeaker and support for vibration alert types as well as downloadable polyphonic ringtones. However, the device lacks a 3.5mm audio jack, which required users to adapt with alternative audio management solutions, typical of the period's wireless constraints.

Software and User Experience

Running a proprietary feature phone operating system, the device prioritizes basic messaging capabilities such as SMS, MMS, and Email over advanced smartphone functionalities. The inclusion of Java support allows for basic gaming, although the graphics and gameplay are understandably limited.

Battery Life

The TS808 houses a removable Li-Ion battery designed to offer up to 350 hours of standby time and up to almost 3 hours of talk time. This capacity was generally considered adequate for users who required moderate usage without constant charging solutions.

Conclusion

Despite being discontinued, the Toshiba TS808 remains a notable example of early mobile phone technology. Its essential features, from basic networking to simplistic design, offer a nostalgic look at how mobile communication has evolved. With its practicality and straightforward design, it catered to the needs of a user base not yet seeking the sophistication found in modern smartphones.