Palm are back, and this time with a shrunken offering that is crafted to ‘help you focus on what really matters in life’.
This was first designed as a companion to your main smartphone, in an attempt to detach users from their mobile devices. But the Palm phone is now also available as a stand-alone device, which begs the question; is something so small really practical in day-to-day life?
What do you get in the box?
- Palm smartphone device
- Product Safety Information
- Quick Start Guide
- USB Type-C cable
- SIM card ejector
- Wall adapter
Design & Display
Being such an incredibly small device, Palm has marketed this as the ideal smartphone for those looking to detach from their main device or for those with active lifestyles.
The Palm is about the size of a credit card and is probably even small enough to slide into a wallet. Indeed, at 3.8-inches tall and 2-inches wide (or 50.6 x 96.6 x 7.4mm), and weighing 62.5 grams overall, it’s probably quite easy to misplace!
In use, the display is significantly better quality than we were ever anticipating, as the 3.3-inch LCD panel has a pixel density of 445, giving pretty impressive contrast and great colours. It also delivers 398 nits of peak brightness so has been usable on the odd sunny day here in the UK. Further display specs include a pixel resolution of 1280 x 720, a 16:9 aspect ratio and overall a 61% screen to body ratio.
As said before, it has been commented on how similar the Palm looks to an iPhone, but we really like it. The frame is made from crafted billet aluminium and it actually feels pretty sturdy as well as being sleek. There isn’t any room for anything but the power button and charging port and the silver trim is very smart, particularly around the camera.
- 50.6 x 96.6 x 7.4mm
- 62.5 grams
- 3.3-inch LCD display
- 398 nits peak brightness
- 1280 x 720
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 61% screen-to-body ratio
- Crafted billet aluminium frame
Camera
Just a single lens adorns the rear of the Palm phone; a 12MP sensor with AutoFocus and LED flash.
Photos are probably about what you’d expect, colour reproduction isn’t half bad but you’re definitely losing the crispness that you’re all-but guaranteed with a flagship. You can also probably imagine that viewing back your pictures on the Palm isn’t the best experience!
Video recording on the move is passable, with the Palm recording video at 720p @ 30fps. There’s also an 8MP selfie camera that takes some respectable selfies and enables an impressively quick face unlock.
- 12MP rear camera
- Autofocus and LED flash
- Video recording 720p @ 30fps
- 8MP selfie camera
- Face unlock
Performance
Indeed, the Palm runs Android 8.1 however changes have been made to make it work better on a smaller screen.
In line with its goal to detach users from the digital world, the Palm comes with ‘Life Mode’ which alleviates distraction by silencing all notifications when the screen is off. They will then beep and flash for your attention again when you wake your screen.
As an Android device, you get a number of customisation options including setting up folders and moving icons in your home screen around to suit your preferences. Google Assistant is accessed by double-pressing the side button, whilst Google Play Store allows you install just about any Android App that you can think of.
Qualcomm’s 435 processor is also included, as well as 32GB of internal storage and 3GB RAM. As expected, apps do load a little slower than your standard device, but it’s never going to be the device for those regularly using power intensive apps. Alongside this, the battery is only 800mAh which does run down quickly. But Palm claim that you can reach a 50% charge at 31 minutes and 100% at 68 minutes.
Alongside this, the Palm device has an IP68 certification for dust and water resistance, withstanding depths of 1m for up to 30 minutes. It’s as rugged as it is elegant, and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 helps to protect from everyday bumps and bruises.
- Android 8.1
- ‘Life Mode’ silences all notifications
- Google Assistant & Google Play Store
- Qualcomm 435
- 32GB & 3GB RAM
- 800mAh battery
- IP68 certification
- Gorilla Glass 3
