The 390: A Forgotten Feature Phone from Philips
In May 2007, Philips announced the release of a new device in their product line - the 390. This feature phone promised to be compact, lightweight, and functional for everyday use. However, its launch was soon cancelled, making it a forgotten piece of technology in the mobile market.
The Philips 390 was designed to cater to basic communication needs. It boasted a reliable GSM technology, supporting the 2G bands of GSM 900 and 1800. With Class 10 GPRS, users could expect decent internet speeds, but there was no EDGE capability, limiting data usage on the device.
A Compact and Simple Device
One of the standout features of the Philips 390 was its dimensions. At just 16mm thickness and weighing only 98g, it was one of the slimmest and lightest phones of its time. Its size was perfect for slipping into pockets or small bags, making it a convenient companion for those on-the-go.
The 390 sported a small 2.0-inch TFT display with 256K colors, providing a clear view of texts and images. The resolution of 176 x 220 pixels and pixel density of 141 ppi may seem outdated now, but it was considered sufficient back then. The device also had a simplistic 4-way navigation key for easy navigation.
Basic Storage and Camera Capabilities
For a feature phone, the 390 offered basic storage options. It came with 64MB of internal storage and a microSD slot for expandable storage. This allowed users to store their contacts, messages, and some media files on their device.
The phonebook could hold a decent number of contacts, and it could store up to 30 received, dialed, and missed calls in its call records. The device also had a 1.3-megapixel rear camera that could record videos at 120p. However, there was no front-facing camera for selfies or video calls.
No-frills Design with Limited Features
In terms of design, the Philips 390 had a simple and sleek look. It came in only one color - black, giving it a professional and understated appearance. The device used a mini-SIM card and had a loudspeaker for notifications and calls.
As a feature phone, the 390 did not have many advanced features. It did not include WLAN or Bluetooth connectivity, and it also lacked sensors, radio, and GPS capabilities. The device could only support basic messaging through SMS, EMS, and MMS, and its browser was limited to WAP 2.0/xHTML. However, it did come with 3 embedded games and an MP3 player, providing some entertainment options for its users.
A Removable Battery with Decent Battery Life
The Philips 390 was powered by a removable 620 mAh Li-Ion battery. With a standby time of up to 250 hours and talk time of up to 3 hours, the device could easily last a couple of days on a single charge with minimal usage. However, heavy usage would drain the battery faster, as is the case with most feature phones.
In conclusion, the Philips 390 may have been cancelled before its official release, but it still remains a device worth remembering. Its compact and lightweight design, along with basic features, made it a practical choice for users looking for a simple communication device. However, with advancements in technology, the 390 may not stand a chance against modern smartphones.
