3 Skypephone Review: A Comprehensive Look

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The 3 Skypephone was a unique device that combined a mobile phone and a Skype-enabled internet phone in one. It was released in 2007 and was exclusive to the 3 network in the UK.

The phone had a 2.4-inch color screen and a physical QWERTY keyboard, making it easy to type out messages and emails. It was also a relatively compact device, weighing in at 128 grams.

One of the standout features of the 3 Skypephone was its ability to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles using Skype's VoIP technology. This allowed users to save money on their phone bills and stay in touch with friends and family.

The phone's battery life was also a notable feature, with up to 6 hours of talk time and up to 12 days of standby time.

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Skype Feature Support

The Skype feature support on the 3 Skypephone is quite impressive. You can access your contact list with online status on both the computer and WP-S1 versions.

Credit: youtube.com, 3's X-series phone - Skype on your mobile

The WP-S1 version does have some limitations, though. For instance, you won't be notified of incoming chats unless Skype is active, and even then, you'll need to return the phone to idle mode to lock the keypad.

One feature that's available on both versions is Skype-to-Skype chat, voice call, and video call. However, the WP-S1 version is missing some of the more advanced features like emoticons, video calls, and SkypeIn.

Here's a quick rundown of the Skype feature support on both versions:

Specifications

The 3 Skypephone is a compact device with dimensions of 102.7 x 45 x 14mm and a weight of 95g. It's not too big, so it should fit easily in your pocket.

The display is a 2.2in QVGA screen, which is a decent size for a phone of its type. You can also expand its memory with a Micro SD card up to 4Gb.

Here are some key specifications at a glance:

  • Dimensions: 102.7 x 45 x 14mm
  • Weight: 95g
  • Display: 2.2in QVGA
  • External memory: Micro SD up to 4Gb

With a battery life of 320 hours in standby mode, you can go a long time without needing to recharge.

Audio Support

Asian woman in a blue suit using smartphone at office desk with laptop and color samples.
Credit: pexels.com, Asian woman in a blue suit using smartphone at office desk with laptop and color samples.

The audio support on this device is a mixed bag. It has an MP3 player, which is a plus.

The MP3 player is a basic feature that allows you to play your music files. However, it's worth noting that it doesn't support OGG/Vorbis files, which might be a limitation for some users.

A mini-USB plug is included with a headset, which is convenient, but the audio quality is only mediocre.

If you want to customize your audio experience, you're out of luck - the equalizer only has a few fixed settings, and sometimes they don't even work as expected.

Technical Details

The dimensions of this device are 102.7 x 45 x 14mm, which is quite compact.

The weight of this device is 95g, making it easy to carry around.

The display is a 2.2in QVGA, which is a decent size for a phone.

The battery life is impressive, with a standby time of up to 320 hours and a talk time of up to 270 minutes.

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Cheerful young multiracial friends smiling and surfing internet on netbook while using mobile phone
Credit: pexels.com, Cheerful young multiracial friends smiling and surfing internet on netbook while using mobile phone

Here are the battery life details:

The device has a 3.2Mpx camera, which is a great feature for capturing memories.

The CPU is an ARM variant that runs the BREW operating system.

The device has 50Mb onboard memory and supports external memory up to 4Gb via Micro SD.

The HSDPA support allows for fast data transfer speeds of up to 2.6Mbit/s.

Functionality

The 3 Skypephone offers a wide range of functionality that makes it a great device for staying connected on the go.

You can make free Skype-to-skype calls, stream video and audio, and even watch YouTube videos over the 3G network.

The device has a built-in 3.2Mpx camera, which is perfect for taking photos and videos.

You can also record video and audio, and play back your favorite MP3 files using the built-in MP3 player, which supports WMA and AAC files as well.

The 3 Skypephone comes with 50Mb of onboard memory, and you can expand it up to 4Gb using a micro SD card.

For another approach, see: 3 Skypephone S2

Credit: youtube.com, 3 Mobile Skypephone

You can sync your device with your PC using the PC Suite software, which also supports Vista.

The device supports HSDPA speeds of up to 2.6Mbit/s, making it great for streaming video and audio on the go.

Here are some of the key features of the 3 Skypephone at a glance:

  • Bluetooth stack with OBEX file transfer and A2DP support
  • Streaming video and audio
  • Free Skype-to-skype calls
  • 3.2Mpx camera
  • Video and audio recording
  • MP3 player with WMA and AAC support
  • 50Mb onboard memory, expandable to 4Gb
  • PC Suite synchronization with Vista support
  • HSDPA speeds up to 2.6Mbit/s

Feedback

The 3 Skypephone was a unique device that allowed users to make free calls to other Skype users.

It had a 2.4-inch color screen and a QWERTY keyboard for easy typing.

The phone's battery life was a letdown, with a reported 2-3 hours of talk time.

Users could store up to 100 contacts in the phone's memory.

The 3 Skypephone was compatible with Skype's free calling service, making international calls affordable.

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Lamar Smitham

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Lamar Smitham is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for simplifying complex topics, Lamar has established himself as a trusted voice in the industry. Lamar's areas of expertise include Microsoft Licensing, where he has written in-depth articles that provide valuable insights for businesses and individuals alike.

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