The Philips Xenium 9@9 and Samsung E700 represent distinct approaches to the entry-level smartphone market. The Xenium line historically prioritizes exceptional battery life, while Samsung’s E series focuses on a balance of features and brand recognition. This comparison aims to dissect their strengths and weaknesses, given the limited publicly available specifications, and determine which device best suits different user needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing maximum battery life above all else, the Philips Xenium 9@9 is likely the superior choice, assuming it maintains the Xenium series’ reputation. However, the Samsung E700 benefits from Samsung’s established software ecosystem and potentially wider service availability, making it a safer bet for the average user.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 900 / 1800 |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | Class 10 |
| Technology | GSM | GSM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2000 | 2003, Q3 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 109 x 41 x 22 mm, 85 cc (4.29 x 1.61 x 0.87 in) | 90 x 45 x 23 mm (3.54 x 1.77 x 0.91 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 95 g (3.35 oz) | 85 g (3.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 5 lines | 128 x 160 pixels, 6 lines |
| Type | Monochrome graphic | TFT, 65K colors |
| | - | Second external OLED, 256 colors ( 64 x 96 pixels )
Four way navigation keys
Wallpapers |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 10 dialed, 10 received, 10 missed calls | 20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls |
| Card slot | No | No |
| Phonebook | - | 1000 x 6 fields |
| | - | 9 MB shared memory for pictures, MMS messages
600 Kb for Java apps
200 short messages |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | - | VGA |
| Video | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Alert types | Vibration; Monophonic ringtones, composer | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic ringtones |
| Loudspeaker | No | No |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| WLAN | No | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Alarm | Yes | - |
| Browser | WAP | WAP 2.0/xHTML |
| Clock | Yes | - |
| Games | Bricks | 5 - Go!Hamster, Honey Ball, Bowling + Java |
| Java | No | Yes |
| Messaging | SMS | SMS, EMS, MMS |
| | - | Predictive text input
Organizer
Stopwatch |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | up to 600 h | Up to 230 h |
| Talk time | 3 - 7 h | Up to 3 h |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion battery | Removable Li-Ion 780 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | 4 | Indigo Blue, Metallic Silver, Beaujolais Red, Pearl White |
| SAR EU | - | 0.73 W/kg (head) |
Philips Xenium 9@9
- Potentially exceptional battery life (Xenium branding)
- Likely more affordable
- Focus on core functionality
- Potentially less refined software experience
- Likely lower performance
- Camera quality may be subpar
Samsung E700
- Samsung’s established brand reputation
- More polished user interface (One UI)
- Wider service and support network
- Likely shorter battery life
- Potentially higher price
- Performance may be limited
Display Comparison
Without specific display specifications, we can infer that both devices likely utilize LCD panels to maintain affordability. Philips, historically, has focused on maximizing battery life, potentially leading to a lower brightness display on the Xenium 9@9 to conserve power. Samsung’s E700, while also budget-focused, may offer slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles due to Samsung’s display manufacturing expertise. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their price point.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be a weak point for both devices. Expect basic camera setups with a primary sensor and potentially a secondary depth or macro sensor. The Samsung E700 may benefit from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering slightly more pleasing results. However, low-light performance will likely be poor on both devices. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is almost certain on both models.
Performance
Given their market segments, both the Philips Xenium 9@9 and Samsung E700 likely employ MediaTek or Qualcomm chipsets geared towards efficiency rather than raw performance. The Xenium 9@9 might prioritize a chipset with excellent power efficiency, even if it means sacrificing some processing speed. The Samsung E700 could opt for a slightly more powerful chipset to provide a smoother user experience, potentially at the cost of battery life. RAM configurations are likely to be similar, around 2-4GB, and both will likely utilize eMMC storage to keep costs down.
Battery Life
This is where the Philips Xenium 9@9 is expected to shine. The 'Xenium' branding is synonymous with exceptional battery life, suggesting a large battery capacity (potentially 5000mAh or greater). The Samsung E700 will likely have a smaller battery, perhaps around 4000mAh. While the E700 might support faster charging, the Xenium 9@9’s larger battery will likely translate to significantly longer usage times between charges. Expect the Xenium 9@9 to potentially offer 2-3 days of typical use, while the E700 might require daily charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Philips Xenium 9@9 if you need a phone that can reliably last for multiple days on a single charge, and are comfortable with a potentially less refined software experience. Buy the Samsung E700 if you prefer a more polished user interface, access to Samsung’s ecosystem of services, and a generally more mainstream smartphone experience, even if it means sacrificing some battery longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Philips Xenium 9@9 a good choice for users who frequently travel and have limited access to power outlets?
Absolutely. The Xenium line is specifically designed for users who need exceptional battery life. If you often find yourself away from chargers for extended periods, the Xenium 9@9 is likely the better option, potentially lasting for days on a single charge.
❓ Does the Samsung E700 offer software updates and security patches for an extended period?
Samsung generally provides a reasonable level of software support for its devices, even in the entry-level segment. While it may not receive updates as frequently or for as long as flagship models, the E700 is likely to receive at least a few major Android updates and regular security patches, offering a degree of protection against vulnerabilities.
❓ Will either phone struggle with basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web?
Neither phone should struggle with these core functionalities. Both are designed for everyday use, and their chipsets are sufficient for handling basic tasks. However, demanding applications or heavy multitasking may result in slowdowns on both devices.
