A Look Back at the Revolutionary Philips 535 Feature Phone
The year was 2003. Flip phones were all the rage and Nokia dominated the market. But one company dared to challenge the status quo - Philips with their groundbreaking device, the Philips 535.
Who is Philips?
Before we dive into the features of the 535, let's get to know the brand behind it. Philips is a Dutch multinational company founded in 1891. Originally a manufacturer of light bulbs, they expanded into consumer electronics and health technology. In the early 2000s, they made waves in the mobile phone industry with their innovative designs and cutting-edge technology.
The Release of the 535
The Philips 535 was released in Q4 of 2003, and it caused quite a stir in the market. It was a feature phone, which means it did not have internet capabilities, unlike smartphones today. But what set it apart from other feature phones at the time was its sleek and modern design, along with its impressive features.
Design and Dimensions
The 535 was one of the most compact and lightweight phones of its time, weighing only 92g and measuring 18mm thick. Its dimensions were 98 x 44 x 18 mm, making it easy to fit in your pocket or bag. It came in four color options - Silver Digit, Red Lens, Blue Focus, and Black Motion.
Display and Camera
The Philips 535 sported a vibrant TFT display with 65K colors. Its screen size was small by today's standards, at only 128 x 128 pixels and 6 lines. But back then, this was considered top of the line. It also had a VGA camera, which was a rarity at the time, although it did not have video capabilities.
Storage and Network
The phone had 1.9MB of internal storage, which was sufficient for storing contacts, messages, and some photos. However, it did not have a card slot for expandable storage. The 535 operated on the GSM network, with support for two bands - GSM 900 and 1800. It also had GPRS, although it did not support EDGE technology.
Battery and Features
A notable feature of the Philips 535 was its removable Li-Ion battery, which was a rare find in phones during that time. It could last up to 300 hours on standby and up to 3 hours of talk time. Other features of note were the predictive text input, voice dial, voice memo, and organizer. It also had interchangeable covers, allowing users to customize the look of their phone.
Discontinuation
As with all good things, the Philips 535 was eventually discontinued. It was announced in Q4 of 2003 and was officially discontinued after a few years. However, its legacy continued, paving the way for more advanced and innovative feature phones.
In Conclusion
The Philips 535 may seem like a simple and outdated device by today's standards, but back in 2003, it was revolutionary. It pushed the boundaries of design and functionality, setting the bar high for other feature phones that entered the market. And even though it may not have the same features as modern phones, it will forever hold a special place in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to own one.
