The release of the Philips X500 in October 2008 marked a significant milestone in the development of feature phones. With its sleek design, impressive features, and user-friendly interface, the X500 quickly became a popular choice among mobile phone users.
The Birth of the X500
Announced in October 2008, the Philips X500 captured the attention of the tech world with its modern design and advanced features. Its compact size and lightweight of 110g made it easy to carry around, while its thickness of 17.9mm allowed for comfortable handling.
Operating System and Storage
The X500 was equipped with a feature phone operating system, making it perfect for those who wanted basic functions without the complexity of a smartphone. It had a storage capacity of 10MB, which was expandable up to 32GB with a microSD card slot.
Network and Connectivity
The X500 was designed to work seamlessly on GSM networks, with 2G bands for GSM 900, 1800, and 1900. It also had Class 10 GPRS and EDGE, allowing for efficient data transfer. Additionally, the X500 had Bluetooth 2.0 with Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) for easy file sharing between devices.
Display and Camera
The X500 boasted a 1.8-inch TFT display with 256K colors, providing clear and vibrant visuals. With a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels and a screen-to-body ratio of 22.8%, users could enjoy an immersive viewing experience. The phone also had a 1.3-megapixel rear camera that could record videos at 128x96@15fps.
Sound and Entertainment
The X500 came equipped with a loudspeaker, allowing users to share their music and media with others. It also had a stereo FM radio with RDS for listening to the latest tunes and updates. The device supported MP3, WAV, and AAC files, making it easy to listen to your favorite songs on the go.
Battery and Other Features
The X500 featured a removable Li-Po 1720 mAh battery, providing users with up to 1440 hours of standby time and 16 hours of talk time. In addition, it had useful features such as SMS and MMS messaging, WAP 2.0/xHTML browser, organizer tools, and predictive text input for convenient typing.
The Success of the X500
The X500 was available in a sleek black on gray color combination, giving it a modern and sophisticated look. It had a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of 0.34 W/kg (head) and 0.72 W/kg (head) for the European Union. With a price of about 150 EUR, the X500 offered users a budget-friendly option without compromising on quality.
Despite being discontinued, the Philips X500 remains a classic and groundbreaking device that revolutionized the feature phone market. Its innovative features and design set the standard for future feature phones and continue to be appreciated by users around the world.
