Pharos offers up WinMo-based Traveler 619 smartphone for $199.95
by Darren Murph 
posted Nov 26th 2008 at 3:52PM
Can't say it looks like anything special, but Pharos has launched its latest Traveler courtesy of Dell. The GPS-enabled Traveler 619 boasts a 2.8-inch VGA touchscreen, full QWERTY keyboard, 2-megapixel camera, 3.5G support, a quad-band GSM / GPRS / EDGE radio, Windows Mobile 6, Bluetooth / WiFi, IrDA and a battery good for four hours of yappin'. Order now for a buck ninety-nine and it should be under the tree in plenty of time.[Thanks, Pavel]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Louis @ Nov 26th 2008 4:52PM
Anyone have the dimensions on this thing? A Google search didn't turn anything up and they're not listed on Dell's site or Pharos's. Using the 2.8" screen and making some estimates, it's approximately 4.75" x 2.5". But that's just a rough estimate and I have no idea what the depth is.
Anybody got anything?
johnny @ Nov 26th 2008 7:07PM
Any one got any more specs on this like what Processor speed is?
ZSX @ Nov 27th 2008 10:25AM
This phone looks an awful lot like the prototyped but never actually released i-mate JAQ4.
It is a really old device, first shown in late 2006. I think Inventec is the ODM and the specs are here:
http://www.gsmarena.com/i_mate_jaq4-1879.php
james@pharos @ Oct 16th 2009 1:07AM
We apologize for any confusion, inconvenience caused by the discrepancies between the device overview and the actual device specifications.
Traveler 619 is an entry-level unlocked 2.5G smartphone with touch-screen QVGA (320x240) display. It is designed for mobile field workers who want slightly larger QWERTY keyboard and screen (2.8" instead of 2.5"). The device measures 4.92 in(L) x 2.8 in(W) x 0.61 in(H) and 6.49 oz. So, it is not as compact and sleek as Traveler 127.
Anyone who purchased Traveler 619, please contact Pharos customer support at 888-PHAROS-8 (888-742-7678) if you want to return the product.
Again, please accept our apology for any trouble that we might have caused.
KilgoreTrout @ Nov 26th 2008 7:10PM
What a monstruosity.
It makes me appreciate my Omnia even more.
Nolan @ Nov 26th 2008 8:39PM
It's on Pharos Site.
A bit on the large side but I don't think you will find anything for this price without a contract anytime soon.
Operating system: Windows Mobile 6
Processor: TI, OMAP 850, 200MHz
Memory: 128MB Flash ROM, 64MB SDRAM
Display: 2.8" TFT LCD with touch panel
Resolution: 320 x 240 QVGA with 65K colors
Phone: Unlocked with one SIM card slot
GSM Quad band 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
EDGE / GPRS Class 10
Talk time: up to 4 hours; 200 hours of standby
GPS: NMEA0183
Cold start
Nolan @ Nov 26th 2008 8:41PM
Too long in the comments, here's the rest.
GPS: NMEA0183
Cold start
Nolan @ Nov 26th 2008 8:43PM
It's not letting me post long comments but..
Device Dimension: 4.92 in(L) x 2.8 in(W) x 0.61 in(T)
Device Weight: 6.49oz
Lulu @ Nov 26th 2008 10:08PM
How long before they correct that VGA typo?
buatafone @ Nov 26th 2008 9:11PM
The screen is not VGA and only 2'3 inches.
Too good to be true.
here are the real specs:http://www.pdadb.net/index.php?m=specs&id=1591&view=1
Abdel @ Nov 27th 2008 12:04AM
Thanks guys yeah you right it was too good to be true
Dustin Leiblein @ Nov 26th 2008 9:50PM
Looks like the original Android concept device.
AWP @ Nov 27th 2008 12:23AM
This is a device I-mate was looking to bring to the States about a year ago, remember the Jaq4. This devices was a major upgrade along the lines of the Jaq, I would say the Jaq3 as well but it is a totally different device.
Mine is ordered though :)
DigitalC @ Nov 27th 2008 12:45AM
umm... quick question. can this phone be used on t-mobile's network? basically, can i drop my SIM into it and go?
jas @ Nov 27th 2008 6:07AM
Yes, it will work on T-mobile since it is unlocked and is quad-band.
jas @ Nov 27th 2008 6:16AM
Fair warning: this is not a "3G" device, it is only an edge/gprs class 10 device.
The Dell listing for "3.5G support" is WRONG.
This is a 2.5G device.
Here is the link to the Pharos product page
http://www.pharosgps.com/products/proddetail.asp?prod=001%5FPTL619%5F1%2E00&cat=136
james@pharos @ Dec 20th 2008 11:21AM
We apologize for any confusion, inconvenience caused by the discrepancies between the device overview and the actual device specifications.
Traveler 619 is an entry-level unlocked 2.5G smartphone with touch-screen QVGA (320x240) display. It is designed for mobile field workers who want slightly larger QWERTY keyboard and screen (2.8" instead of 2.5"). The device measures 4.92 in(L) x 2.8 in(W) x 0.61 in(H) and 6.49 oz. So, it is not as compact and sleek as Traveler 127.
Anyone who purchased Traveler 619, please contact Pharos customer support at 888-PHAROS-8 (888-742-7678) if you want to return the product.
Again, please accept our apology for any trouble that we might have caused.
kennyG @ Dec 11th 2008 8:21PM
Anyone wants to prove to me that this phone is available can prove me wrong. The phone in my opinion/experience is not available and probably will never be. I order this on Dell 11/26 with an est ship date of 11/27. Well 11/27 I get the email from Dell that there is a delay in shipping and will ship 11/30. 11/30 I get another email about another delay and the new est ship date of 12/3. Funny to say, yap, 12/3 yet another delay with a new 12/11 ship date but yet with an option to cancel order.
So 12/3, I cancel the order because I find a coupon code CTV2$2HX963145 that makes the phone $169. Process starts again. Ship date 12/4 - delay to 12/10 - delay to 12/15 - and today another delay to 12/24. Wow, didn't know it was this hard to buy a phone. So anyone wants to prove to me that the phone is available, you are welcome. My order still stands. Buyer beware.
quickmips @ Dec 18th 2008 5:47PM
Ordered on Dec.12, Est. ship date Jan.02
Dung Kong @ Dec 15th 2008 3:04PM
i, all:
I’m little bit confused about the GPS functionality on Pharos 619 (or, any other smartphones claimed having GPS). Do I have to pay a monthly premium (say, $10/month) to my wireless provider (say, AT&T) to get this GPS functional ? Or, I don’t have to pay anything (just like those dedicated GPS devices, e.g., Garmin nuvi 250w) to use the GPS ????
Bottomline question: do I have to pay (to my wireless provider a monthly fee in addition to my monthly wireless phone fee, I have no data-plan.) to get this GPS function on Pharos 619 to be useful ?
Thanks !
John Mills @ Dec 16th 2008 7:04PM
I'd like clairification as well on this GPS issue. I'm guessing that even if you never dropped a SIM card into it or used it as a phone most of the phone would still function.
The GPS would work. You could access the internet with the WiFi if you can get a signal.
Personally, I'm looking to take my T-Mobile prepay SIM out of my old Nokia 6030 and find a compatible phone with GPS.
WiFi internet would be a plus. The only other thing would be a speaker phone and maybe bluetooth.