A Closer Look at the Philips 636: A Feature Phone from 2004
The year was 2004 and feature phones were all the rage. One device, in particular, stood out - the Philips 636. Sleek, lightweight, and packed with features, this device was a favorite among many. Let's dive into the details of this iconic phone.
Release Date and Operating System
The Philips 636 was released in the second quarter of 2004. It was a feature phone, meaning it had basic functionalities such as calling, texting, and some limited internet capabilities. It did not have a full-fledged operating system like smartphones do today.
Design and Dimensions
Weighing in at just 82g and with a thickness of 21mm, the Philips 636 was a lightweight and compact phone. It measured 79 x 43 x 21 mm and had a mini-SIM card slot. Its exterior was available in three colors - Blue Pacific, Red Temptation, and Silver Knight.
Display and Memory
The Philips 636 had a 1.8-inch CSTN display with 65k colors. It had a resolution of 128 x 128 pixels and could display up to 8 lines of text at a 1:1 ratio. The device also had a secondary external mono LCD display. It came with 1.5MB of internal storage but unfortunately, it did not have a memory card slot for expandable storage.
Camera and Sound
The Philips 636, being a feature phone, did not come with a camera. However, there was an optional rotating digital VGA camera that users could purchase separately. The phone also did not have a loudspeaker, but it did have vibration alerts and downloadable polyphonic ringtones.
Connectivity and Features
The Philips 636 did not have advanced connectivity features such as WLAN or Bluetooth. It did have WAP 1.2.1 for limited internet access. The phone also came with SMS, MMS, and Email messaging capabilities. Additionally, users could download games for entertainment purposes.
Battery Life and Other Specs
The battery on the Philips 636 was a removable Li-Ion 600 mAh battery. It had a standby time of up to 400 hours and a talk time of up to 4 hours. The phone also featured predictive text input, which made typing easier and more efficient.
Discontinued Status
Although the Philips 636 was a popular device in 2004, it was eventually discontinued. The company focused on developing new and improved models, leaving the 636 behind. However, it still holds a special place in the hearts of those who owned and used it.
In conclusion, the Philips 636 may have been a feature phone, but it was ahead of its time when it was released. It may not have all the advanced features of smartphones today, but it still remains a beloved and memorable device for many.
Philips 636 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800
GPRS
Class 10
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2004, Q2
Status
Discontinued
Body
Dimensions
79 x 43 x 21 mm, 70 cc (3.11 x 1.69 x 0.83 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
Second external mono LCD display 80 x 48 pixels
Screensavers and wallpapers
Downloadable logos