Legacy Portable Computing Wiki:Page-writing guide
This is a guide for creating pages about cell phones and other handheld devices. This wiki is a community effort, and the goal is to document these devices as in-depth as possible. Refer to this guide to reinforce the integrity of any pages you may add.
Remember to also check the style guide for guidelines and more details on how to format different values and information correctly.
There are guides for creating pages about other subjects as well, see the list on the right side.
Do you need to create a page?[edit]
Before creating a page, check if a page about the device already exists. Type the device's brand and model into the search bar - if it brings you directly to a page, then a new page is not needed. If you see a list of search results, check if your device is already listed as a variant on another device's page. Just to be sure, you can also try the same with alternative names of the device.
Lead section[edit]
Include basic information about the device, such as the model and release year. A brief synopsis of the device is also desirable, but not mandatory.
When taking photos of devices for pages, try to keep the device centered without lots of empty space. If you don't have a picture for the phone, use a placeholder by writing {{noimage}}.
If you have no idea where to start, consider looking at the Template Phone Page and building off of it from your own phone page.
Variants[edit]
If applicable, list any variants of the device and what the differences are.
Related phones[edit]
You can include phones such as predecessors and successors here.
Specs[edit]
Use the below templates to record the specifications of devices - copy them into your page and then fill them out. Any fields that are left blank won't appear on the page, so you do not have to worry about adding a value for each one.
If a template is missing a section that you believe would fit in the category, you can either add it yourself or if in doubt, request it to be added in the template's discussion page.
You can check these pages to find sources for specifications:
- Finding specs for Nokia phones
- More coming soon...
Basics[edit]
{{PhoneSpecsBasics
| phonemodel=
| chipset=
| gpu=
| plat=
| disp=
| subdisp=
| dispsize=
| led=
| sensors=
| flash=
| ram=
| cardslot=
| phonebook=
| cdconn=
| chargeconn=
| dataconn=
| reginfo=
| msrp=
}}
- Chipset or CPU: The main processor of the device; usually in the form of a SoC, multi-chip solution, or individual processor.
- Media DSP or GPU: Some phones have a separate DSP or GPU to control the display (integrated with the SoC, or not). If it has one that you know of, list it here.
- Platform or OS: The main software of the device. For feature phones this is mainly used for categorization purposes if the name of the software on the device is unknown. Some examples are:
- Series 40 2nd Edition
- A200 Platform
- Palm OS 5.4 (Garnet)
- Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
- Display: The main display of the device. Indicate the screen resolution, display technology, and type of digitizer if applicable.
- Secondary display: Any additional display on the device, usually in the form of the outer display on a flip phone.
- Physical display size: The physical size of the main display of the device, preferably in mm.
- Sensors: Any special sensors equipped on the device, such as GPS, accelerometers, photoresistors, and proximity sensors.
- Status LED: List if the device has any LEDs used to indicate status.
- Flash memory: The size of the flash storage on the device. If it's unknown, indicate the amount of storage available to the user.
- RAM: If known, list the device's RAM size.
- Memory card slot: List if the device has a card slot for expandable storage.
- Phonebook capacity: Not required, but some devices have a preset limit for how many contacts you are allowed to store.
- Charging and data connector: The type of charging connector that the device accepts. If the port is used for only charging, list as Charging connector.
- Data connector: Some devices have a data/serial connector independent from the charging port. If the device has one, list it here.
- Regulatory info: Many countries like the US (FCC) and China (CMIIT) use regulatory IDs for mobile devices. It's preferred that you include this as it helps determine an estimate for when the device was released.
- Retail price: If known, include the phone's retail price when it was new.
Connectivity[edit]
{{PhoneSpecsConn
| phonemodel=
| modes=
| data=
| ptt=
| wlan=
| sim=
| irda=
| bt=
| btprof=
| pclink=
| tethering=
}}
- Operating modes: The type of network that the device operates on, if applicable. Some examples are:
- GSM (850/900/1800/1900)
- AMPS
- CDMA
- iDEN
- TDMA
- PCS
- Data: The type of data connection that the device uses to connect to mobile internet. Mostly used for internet and MMS. Examples:
- GPRS
- HSDPA
- 1xRTT
- EV-DO
- Push-to-talk: Some phones had a push-to-talk feature, indicate if it's supported here.
- SIM size: If the device accepts a SIM card, indicate which size it uses (full, mini, micro, and/or nano).
- WLAN: List if the device is capable of connecting to a WLAN network and what version of IEEE 802.11 is supported (e.g. 802.11b/g).
- IrDA: List if the device has an Infrared port.
- Bluetooth: List if the device is Bluetooth-enabled, and the Bluetooth version.
- Bluetooth profiles: If applicable, list the Bluetooth profiles that the device supports.
- PC Link: If known, list the level of compatibility with PC software. For example, if a device natively supports file transfer using a PC sync application.
- Data tethering: List if the device can connect to a computer or other device to act as a modem.
Input[edit]
{{PhoneSpecsInput
| phonemodel=
| typemethods=
| touch=
| softkeys=
| sidekeys=
}}
- Input methods: The type of keypad or other input method used by the device. Usually it's a 12-key phone keypad, but some devices have a QWERTY keyboard.
- Touch: The type of touchscreen (capacitive, resistive) the device has, if applicable.
- Soft keys: List the softkeys that are on the front of the device.
- Side keys: List the keys that are on the sides of the phone, for example power button or volume keys.
Media[edit]
{{PhoneSpecsMedia
| phonemodel=
| rearcam=
| video=
| frontcam=
| imagefmt=
| soundfmt=
| videofmt=
| speakerconf=
| lineout=
| synth=
| fmradio=
| extras=
}}
- Rear camera: If the device has a camera, list the maximum resolution of the camera (and optionally, features of the camera application).
- Video: The resolution and frame rate, if known, of videos captured by a camcorder-enabled device.
- Front camera: Camera used for video calling on some 3G devices. Include if applicable.
- Supported image formats: The types of image formats that are supported to be viewed on the device.
- Supported audio formats: The types of audio formats that are supported to either be played as media, or used as ringtones, on the device.
- Supported video formats: The types of video formats that are supported to be played back on the device.
- Line out: The type of port on the device that is used for connecting headsets, handsfree devices, or headphones.
- Speaker configuration: The number of speakers on the device and what they are used for. Examples:
- Single ear speaker
- Ear speaker, loudspeaker
- Stereo front-facing speakers
- Synthesizer: If applicable, list the MIDI playback engine used by the device.
- FM radio: List if the device has FM radio support, and with internal or external (headset) antenna. If known, also specify if stereo or RDS is supported.
- Extras: Any additional media-related features, such as photo/video editor, ringtone composer, TV tuner, FM transmitter, etc.
Messaging[edit]
{{PhoneSpecsMessaging
| phonemodel=
| sms=
| ems=
| mms=
| im=
| email=
}}
- SMS: List if the device is capable of sending and receiving SMS messages, and if they are displayed in a threaded view.
- EMS: List if the device is capable of sending and receiving EMS messages.
- MMS: List if the device is capable of sending and receiving multimedia messages.
- IM: Any instant messaging clients included on the device.
- Email: Any email client included on the device, if applicable, and supported protocols.
Software[edit]
{{PhoneSpecsSoftware
| phonemodel=
| java=
| jsrs=
| brew=
| mophun=
| flashlite=
| mre=
| others=
}}
- Java: List if the device is capable of running Java applications natively and what its MIDP and CLDC versions are.
- JSRs or Java APIs: Include a list of Java JSRs supported on the device. Use Template:JSR for this, for example
{{JSR|75|135|177}}. Leave blank if unsure. - Any special software runtimes (such as BREW or Mophun) should be listed if they are supported.
- Same for Flash Lite (for example some Nokia S40 phones), MediaTek MRE, and any others not listed here.
Pre-loaded content[edit]
List various types of content that are shipped on a device, such as ringtones, apps, games, music and videos. If the ringtones are available on Phonetones, including a link is appreciated. For ringtones, it is preferrable to include a table listing the title, file format and composer (if known).
Accessories[edit]
Batteries[edit]
The type of battery included with the device, and any other battery that will work in the device, if applicable. List the output voltage, capacity, and chemical composition (for example Li-ion) if known.
Chargers[edit]
The type of charger that shipped with the device, and any other charger that will work with the device.
Other accessories[edit]
Any special accessories that are compatible with the device, such as those coupled with a data port, SDIO slot, or CompactFlash slot. Headsets and data cables should be included too, and can have their own headings.
Firmware[edit]
If firmware is available for this phone, provide a link to it. Even if only firmware versions are known, mention those as they can be helpful in finding the firmware files.