Screen

Manufactured from OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) technology, the 4-color grayscale 96 x 96 px external screen does not require a backlight to function, using much less power than traditional LCD screens. Being less vibrant as well, unfortunately the screen is quite difficult to read in direct sunlight.

While the monochrome external LCD is disappointing, it mainly offers quick and convenient access to text. Frequented information shown on the screen includes battery charge level, signal strength, date, and time. The LCD also doubles as a viewfinder when closed in Camera Mode, vaguely allowing users to see where the lens is pointing.

Conversely, the internal screen is built from TFT (Thin Film Transistor) technology. Displaying 262K-colors at 176 x 220 px, the 2-inch main LCD provides bright and vivid imaging, but consumes a significant amount of power.

Both OLED and TFT displays offer an ideal blend of power consumption and image quality. Since users frequently glance at static information on the external screen, OLED is logical to prolong battery life without sacrificing much on imaging. Meanwhile, the sparsely used internal display offers exceptional clarity and brightness for multimedia.

Audio

Consumers can copy their favorite MP3s to the T609 and take them with them on microSD memory cards. The interface is minimalist with the directional keypad functioning as the Rewind, Play / Pause, Forward, and Music List Keys. Providing a few settings, listeners can choose Repeat Mode (Off, One, and All), Shuffle, Visualization, Backlight, and Volume (0-10).

Unfortunately the T609 uses a non-standard Headset Jack, so only the supplied headset (used for handsfree conversation) is possible for private listening. Having only one earpiece, mono sound limits audio quality. Unplugged music from the external speaker projects from the top hinge of the T609.

While the lack of stereo sound makes music listening rather poor, transferring MP3s from a PC was fairly painless. More useful for MP3 ringtones than a music player, users can easily set music tracks for incoming calls.

Messaging

The conventional raised keypad (with the middle row slightly offset) is revealed by opening the T609. Featuring all the standard text messaging formats, SMS (Short Messaging Service), EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service), and MMS (Multimedia Message Service) is supported.

As standard with T-Mobile devices, the T609 also comes preinstalled with AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), ICQ, MSN Messenger, and Yahoo! Messenger. Providing real-time chat from a wireless device, consumers no longer need to end the conversation with family and friends. With the 609, users can keep the conversation alive just as if they were sitting in front of a PC. Airtime charges may apply.

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