Cancelled Release: A Look at the Features of the Philips 699 Dual SIM
The year was 2007 and mobile phones were still mostly used for making calls and sending messages. However, Philips had big plans for the mobile phone market with its latest device, the 699 Dual SIM. Sadly, it never saw the light of day as it was cancelled before its release. Let's take a closer look at what could have been with this feature phone.
The Dimensions and Operating System
The 699 Dual SIM was a lightweight device, weighing only 98g and with a thickness of 15mm. This made it easy to carry around and slipped easily into pockets or bags. It also had a feature phone operating system, which was common back in those days. This meant that it had basic functions such as calling, messaging, and alarm, but not much more than that.
Storage and Network Technology
For a feature phone, 11MB storage was quite decent. However, for those who needed more space, there was a microSD slot available. The device also operated on GSM 900/1800 bands, allowing for reliable connection in most areas. For internet usage, it had GPRS technology but unfortunately, no EDGE capabilities were available.
Launch and Body
In August 2007, the 699 Dual SIM was announced and had people excited for its release. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, it was cancelled and never hit the market. It boasted a compact design with dimensions of 106 x 56 x 15 mm, making it comfortable to hold and use. It also had a dual SIM feature, meaning users could have two separate numbers on one device.
TFT Resistive Touchscreen and Display
The most impressive feature of the 699 Dual SIM was its 2.6-inch TFT resistive touchscreen with 256K colors. This allowed for a visually appealing display and the ability to navigate through the device with ease. The screen also featured handwriting recognition, which was ahead of its time.
Memory and Cameras
The phone may have been small, but it had decent memory options. It had a microSD slot for expansion and could store up to 30 received, dialed, and missed calls. The main camera was 1.3MP and could record videos in 320p. Unfortunately, there was no front-facing camera available.
Additional Features
The 699 Dual SIM had some extra features that made it stand out from other feature phones at the time. It had a female calendar for tracking periods, a weight management function, an international converter, and even an ENG-CHN, CHN-ENG dictionary. It also had a voice memo option, perfect for quick notes on-the-go.
Battery and Other Details
The phone ran on a removable Li-Ion 850 mAh battery, providing up to 250 hours of standby time and up to 2 and a half hours of talk time. It also came in a classic black color, giving it a sleek and sophisticated look.
In Conclusion
Although the Philips 699 Dual SIM may have been cancelled, it still left an impression on the mobile phone market. Its touchscreen and additional features were quite advanced for its time and could have made it a popular choice among consumers. However, we can only imagine what could have been as this device never made it to the shelves.
