The Classic Device that is Still Remembered: Philips 355
In the world of smartphones and advanced technology, there was a time where feature phones were the most popular choice for communication. And during this era, the Philips 355 was a device that made quite an impact.
Release and Specifications
The Philips 355 was released in the first quarter of 2004 and quickly gained popularity due to its sleek and compact design. Weighing only 82g and with a thickness of 17mm, it was a lightweight and convenient device to carry around.
It came with a storage capacity of 8MB, which may seem minimal compared to today's standards, but at that time it was considered sufficient. However, there was no card slot available for external storage, so users had to make do with the limited internal storage.
Network and Operating System
The Philips 355 was a GSM phone, which meant it could access 2G bands such as GSM 900 and 1800. It also had Class 10 GPRS, allowing users to access basic internet features like email and basic web browsing.
This feature phone was equipped with a simple operating system, making it user-friendly for all generations.
Display and Design
The Philips 355 had a 128 x 128 pixel display that could showcase up to 65K colors. It also had 8 lines, which gave it an aspect ratio of 1:1. Additionally, the device features screensavers and wallpapers that allowed users to customize their phone according to their preference.
The design of the Philips 355 was simplistic yet elegant. It had a 5-way joystick that made navigation easier, and users could also download pictures to use as wallpapers.
Memory and Camera
One of the downsides of the Philips 355 was its limited storage capacity and the lack of a card slot for external memory. However, it did offer a phonebook with a capacity of 300 contacts.
The device was also equipped with a CIF single camera, which was considered decent during that time. Unfortunately, video recording was not available on this device, and there was no front-facing camera.
Sound and Connectivity
One of the features missing on the Philips 355 was a loudspeaker, but it did have vibration and downloadable polyphonic ringtones for alerts. It also had a 3.5mm jack for headphones, allowing users to listen to music or take calls privately.
Despite being a simple feature phone, the Philips 355 lacked some basic connectivity features such as WLAN, Bluetooth, positioning services, and even a radio. However, it did have WAP 1.2.1 for basic internet access.
Battery Life and Other Features
The Philips 355 came with a removable Li-Ion battery that could last up to 400 hours on standby and up to 5 hours of talk time. This was considered good battery life for a feature phone at that time.
Some other features of this device include SMS, EMS, and MMS messaging, which were the most popular forms of communication back then. It also had predictive text input for easier typing and an organizer to keep track of tasks and appointments.
In Conclusion
Although the Philips 355 may seem like a very basic and outdated device by today's standards, it was a revolutionary device in its time. Its compact design, user-friendly operating system, and decent features made it a popular choice among consumers.
Even though it has been discontinued, the Philips 355 still holds a special place in the hearts of those who owned and used it. Its colorful variants, including Turquoise Ocean, White Antarctic, Black Forrest, and Blue Gloss, also made it a fashionable device during its time.
Philips 355 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800
GPRS
Class 10
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2004, Q1
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
106 x 46 x 17 mm, 72 cc (4.17 x 1.81 x 0.67 in)
Weight
82 g (2.89 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
CSTN, 65K colors
Size
Resolution
128 x 128 pixels, 8 lines, 1:1 ratio
Other
Screensavers and wallpapers
5-way joystick
Downloadable pictures