Introducing the Philips 868: A Feature Phone Ahead of Its Time
The year was 2005 and smartphones were still not a common sight. Most people used what were called "feature phones" - basic devices that could make calls, send texts, and maybe play simple games. The market was dominated by brands like Nokia, Motorola, and Sony Ericsson. But then, Philips came out with the 868 - a feature phone that was way ahead of its time.
The Specs
The Philips 868 was a slim and lightweight device, weighing only 110g and measuring just 26mm in thickness. It had 8MB of internal storage, which was considered a lot back then, and even had a miniSD card slot for additional storage. This meant that users could store more music, pictures, and games on their phone.
Network and Operating System
The 868 ran on GSM technology and supported 2G bands for GSM 900, 1800, and 1900. This meant that users could make calls and send messages in most parts of the world. The phone also had GPRS for basic internet browsing, although it did not have EDGE connectivity.
But what really made the Philips 868 stand out was its operating system. While most feature phones at the time had basic user interfaces, the 868 had a TFT resistive touchscreen display with 256K colors. It even had a second external display with 65K colors for showing screensavers, wallpapers, and downloadable logos.
Multimedia Features
With the Philips 868, users could do a lot more than just call and text. The phone was equipped with a 2MP camera with LED flash, allowing for decent photos and videos. It also had an MP3 player and support for downloadable games. The phone even had predictive text input, making messaging easier and faster.
No Bluetooth, No Problem
One thing that may seem odd about the Philips 868 is the absence of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. But keep in mind that this was a feature phone released in 2005, when such features were not yet common. The 868 did have infrared port for data transfer and a USB port for connecting to a computer.
Long Battery Life
The 868 was powered by a removable Li-Ion 750 mAh battery, which may seem small compared to today's smartphone batteries. But back then, it was enough to provide up to 150 hours of standby time and up to 5 hours of talk time.
Cancelled, But Not Forgotten
Unfortunately, the Philips 868 never made it to the market. It was announced in Q2 of 2005 but was eventually cancelled before it could be released. It's a shame because the phone was definitely ahead of its time and could have been a game changer in the feature phone market.
But even though it never made it to store shelves, the Philips 868 remains a noteworthy device in the history of mobile phones. Its impressive specs and features paved the way for future advancements in the industry. And for those who were lucky enough to get their hands on a prototype or pre-production unit, the 868 will always hold a special place in their hearts.
In Conclusion
The Philips 868 may have been cancelled, but it will always be remembered as a groundbreaking feature phone. With its slim design, advanced operating system, and multimedia features, it was truly ahead of its time. It may have never made it to the market, but it still deserves recognition for pushing the boundaries of mobile technology.
Philips 868 Full Specifications
Network
Technology
GSM
2G bands
GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
GPRS
Class 10
EDGE
No
Launch
Announced
2005, Q2
Status
Cancelled
Body
Dimensions
92 x 45 x 26 mm (3.62 x 1.77 x 1.02 in)
Weight
110 g (3.88 oz)
SIM
Mini-SIM
Display
Type
TFT resistive touchscreen, 256K colors
Size
Resolution
128 x 160 pixels, 8 lines
Other
Second external CSTN,65K colors display (96 x 64 pixels)
Screensavers and wallpapers
Downloadable logos