Introducing the Philips E210: A Feature Phone with a Classic Design
The Philips E210, released in February 2009, was a simple feature phone with a classic design that aimed to provide essential communication and entertainment features. Despite being discontinued, the E210 is fondly remembered by users for its reliable performance and affordable price.
Design and Dimensions
Weighing only 71g and with a thickness of 13.9mm, the E210 was a lightweight and compact device that could easily fit in your pocket or bag. Its body dimensions measured at 104.7 x 44 x 13.9 mm, making it comfortable to hold and use with one hand. The phone featured a minimalist design, with a compact keypad and a small screen placed above it.
Display and Memory
The E210 sported a 1.8-inch CSTN display with 65K colors, offering decent viewing quality for its time. The screen had a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels and a screen-to-body ratio of 22.1%, leaving enough space for a battery life indicator and signal strength bar. The phone also allowed users to personalize their screens with screensavers and wallpapers.
In terms of memory, the E210 had a dedicated microSD slot, allowing users to expand the storage beyond its internal 2MB. This may seem extremely small compared to modern smartphones, but it was enough to store text messages, call logs, and a few MP3s or ringtones.
Camera and Sound
The E210 had a basic VGA camera that could capture photos and record videos at SQCIF@15fps. While not the greatest quality, it allowed users to capture special moments on their phone and share them with friends and family.
The phone also had a loudspeaker for hands-free calls and listening to music, but unfortunately, it did not have a 3.5mm jack for headphones. This may have been a downside for some users who preferred privacy while listening to music.
Connectivity and Features
The E210 had limited connectivity options, with no WLAN or GPS capabilities. It did offer Bluetooth 2.0 with support for A2DP, allowing users to connect to other devices and transfer files. The phone also had an FM radio and a miniUSB port for charging and data transfer.
In terms of features, the E210 had basic sensors, SMS and MMS messaging capabilities, and a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser for accessing the internet. It also had pre-installed games and support for Java applications such as a voice memo and organizer.
Battery Life and Colors
The E210 was powered by a removable Li-Po 820 mAh battery that offered up to 500 hours of standby time and 5 hours of talk time. This was sufficient for light usage but may not have lasted for heavy users. The phone was available in classic black and gray colors.
Final Thoughts
The Philips E210 was a budget-friendly feature phone that served its purpose well. It may not have had all the flashy features of modern smartphones, but it provided essential communication and entertainment functions while keeping things simple. Its sleek design, compact size, and respectable battery life made it a popular choice among users during its time.
