Philips' handsets are traditionally known for their long battery life, but the 960 seems to prove it is more than just that. Besides the onboard music player, the triband slider also comes equipped with a 2-megapixel camera, 30fps video recording and large 262K-color display. The inclusion of the SD/MMC expansion slot, which probably contributed to the larger form factor, is a surprising decision by the company considering there are smaller and more futureproof media formats available. Most users, however, will agree that it is a practical move as SD cards are generally more affordable. At S$568 (US$400.99) without operator contract, the Philips 960 is priced reasonably for a 2-megapixel camera-phone.
Design
Measuring 95 x 47.5 x 23mm, the Philip 960 is a tad bulky compared with most slider handsets out there. The rounded edges and silver color exterior also don't do much to hide its large footprint or its rather plasticky look and feel, though they give the phone a clean and eye-pleasing appearance.
The semi-automatic sliding mechanism on the 960, which feels surprisingly solid, reminded us of Samsung's tiny slider, the SGH-E800. Overall, the buttons on the keypad offer good tactile feel but we found the direction pad too small for comfortable navigation. Some users may also find the top row of number buttons harder to access due to the tight positioning just below the sliding cover.
We like the crisp bright display on the 960. At a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels supporting up to 262K colors, the LCD offers a good viewing angle and images remain visibly clear even in direct sunlight.
Like most camera-phones in the market today, the 960 is designed to operate vertically as well as horizontally, just like a conventional digital camera. A rubber strip has also been included on the camera lens face for better grip when taking pictures. Another plus point we noticed is the recessed lens, which helps to protect the glass from getting scratched, although a lens cover would have been a better option. One flaw in the camera design of the 960 is the missing chrome reflective piece for self-portraits. The flash light located above the lens provides minimal illumination support for picture-taking but works sufficiently as a mini torchlight.
The only wired connector on the 960 is the miniUSB port at the bottom edge of the phone. The miniUSB jack also works as a port for charging and the handsfree headset. What this means is that you can only do PC synchronization, connect to the headset or charge the phone one at a time. In this instance, music lovers will not be able to hook up their other earphones with 3.5mm audio jacks to the phone.
The 960 comes with a standard accessory package that includes a stereo handsfree earphone, miniUSB synchronization cable, installation CD and a travel charger.
