The Philips 392: A Feature Phone Ahead of Its Time
The Philips 392, released in 2008, may seem like just another feature phone from nearly a decade ago, but it was actually quite ahead of its time. With its resistive touchscreen, handwriting recognition, and mini-SIM capability, this device offered users a taste of what smartphones would become in the future.
Design and Display
At just 13.8mm thick and weighing only 83g, the Philips 392 was a compact and lightweight device. Its 2.4 inch TFT resistive touchscreen provided a decent display for browsing, messaging, and playing games. The device also came equipped with a 4-way navigation key, making it easy to navigate through menus and features.
Memory and Camera
The 392 may not have had a lot of internal storage with only 11MB, but it did have a dedicated microSD slot for extra space. The phonebook could store contacts along with photos for caller identification. The main camera, although only 1.3 MP, had the capability to capture video in 120p. Unfortunately, there was no front-facing camera for selfies.
Features and Connectivity
The Philips 392 offered Bluetooth 2.0 and a miniUSB port for connectivity, allowing users to transfer files and connect to other devices. It also featured support for SMS, EMS, and MMS messaging, as well as a WAP browser. Other notable features included a female calendar, an English-Chinese dictionary, and a voice memo function.
Battery Life and Discontinuation
The removable Li-Ion 980 mAh battery of the 392 allowed for up to 655 hours of standby time and up to 5 hours of talk time. However, despite its advanced features and decent battery life, the Philips 392 was discontinued soon after its release.
Conclusion
The Philips 392 may not have been a hugely popular or long-lasting device, but it provided a glimpse into the future of smartphones. Its resistive touchscreen, handwriting recognition, and other capabilities were impressive for a feature phone in 2008. While it may no longer be available, the 392 paved the way for the advanced technology we now see in our pocket-sized devices today.
