Tag: samsung

Samsung Galaxy M Pro B7800

Into Droid Leave a comment

Overview:

The Samsung Galaxy M Pro B7800, released in late 2011, was a unique offering in the Galaxy lineup. It was designed for users who preferred physical QWERTY keyboards along with the Android experience. The phone was targeted towards business professionals and those who prioritized productivity.

Features:

  • Operating System: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
  • Display: 2.66-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 480 x 320 pixels.
  • Processor: 1 GHz Cortex-A5
  • Memory: 1 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 32 GB.
  • Camera: 5 MP rear camera with autofocus and LED flash, and a secondary VGA front camera.
  • Battery: 1350 mAh removable battery.
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, and GPS.
  • Other Features: Physical QWERTY keyboard, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, and FM Radio.

Pros:

  • Physical QWERTY Keyboard: A standout feature for those who prefer tactile feedback when typing.
  • Compact Design: The phone’s smaller size made it easy to handle and carry.
  • Decent Camera: The 5 MP rear camera with LED flash was reasonably good for its time.
  • Front Camera: The inclusion of a VGA front camera was a plus for video calls.

Cons:

  • Smaller Screen: The 2.66-inch screen might feel cramped for some users, especially when browsing or viewing media.
  • Outdated OS: Android 2.3 Gingerbread was becoming dated, with newer versions offering more features and improvements.
  • Limited Internal Storage: 1 GB of storage can be restrictive, especially for apps and media.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In 2011, the smartphone market was diverse, with various form factors and features. The Galaxy M Pro B7800 had its niche but faced competition from:

  • BlackBerry Bold 9900: A flagship device from BlackBerry with a physical keyboard, sharp display, and BlackBerry OS 7.
  • Motorola Droid Pro: Another Android device with a physical keyboard, targeting a similar audience.
  • Samsung Galaxy S II: Samsung’s flagship at the time, boasting superior specs and a large Super AMOLED Plus display.

Launch Date:

The Samsung Galaxy M Pro B7800 was announced in August 2011 and released later that year.

Common Issues/Problems:

  • Performance Hiccups: Some users reported occasional slowdowns, especially with multitasking.
  • Screen Size: The smaller screen was a trade-off for the physical keyboard, but it made certain tasks less enjoyable.
  • Software Stagnation: The device did not receive many significant updates, leaving users on an older Android version.

Conclusion:

The Samsung Galaxy M Pro B7800 was a niche product catering to a specific audience. While it had its merits, especially with the physical keyboard, it faced stiff competition from other devices, both within the Android ecosystem and outside of it. For those who prioritized typing and productivity, it was a viable option, but others might have found it lacking in certain areas compared to more mainstream smartphones.

Samsung Dart T499 / SGH-T499 / Tass

Into Droid Leave a comment

Overview:

The Samsung Dart T499, also known as the SGH-T499 or Tass, is an entry-level smartphone that was released around mid-2011. It was primarily targeted towards users who were looking for a budget-friendly Android experience.

Features:

  • Operating System: Android 2.2 Froyo
  • Display: 3.14-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels.
  • Processor: 600 MHz ARM 11
  • Memory: 160 MB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 32 GB.
  • Camera: 3.15 MP rear camera with no flash.
  • Battery: 1200 mAh removable battery.
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, and GPS.
  • Other Features: FM Radio, Accelerometer, and Proximity sensor.

Pros:

  • Budget-Friendly: One of the most affordable Android smartphones at the time of its release.
  • Expandable Storage: The ability to expand storage with a microSD card is a plus, especially given the limited internal storage.
  • Removable Battery: Allows users to replace the battery if it degrades over time.

Cons:

  • Outdated OS: Even at the time of its release, Android 2.2 Froyo was becoming outdated.
  • Limited Internal Storage: 160 MB is extremely limited, even for basic apps and updates.
  • Low-Resolution Display: The display resolution is quite low compared to other smartphones available at the time.
  • Basic Camera: The camera lacks features like flash and front-facing capabilities.
  • Performance: The 600 MHz processor can be sluggish, especially with more demanding apps or multitasking.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In 2011, the smartphone market was rapidly evolving. The Samsung Dart T499 was competing with other entry-level smartphones, but there were several superior devices in the mid-range and high-end categories. For instance:

  • Samsung Galaxy S II: A high-end device from Samsung itself, boasting a much larger Super AMOLED Plus display, dual-core processor, and an 8 MP camera.
  • iPhone 4: Apple’s offering at the time, with a Retina display, sleek design, and a vast app ecosystem.
  • HTC Desire: Another Android device with better specs, a larger display, and a more powerful processor.

Launch Date:

The Samsung Dart T499 was launched in June 2011.

Common Issues/Problems:

  • Performance Lag: Users often reported lag and slowdowns, especially when running multiple apps.
  • Limited Storage Issues: The limited internal storage meant users had to frequently manage their apps and data.
  • Outdated Software: The device did not receive many software updates, leaving users with an outdated Android experience.

Conclusion:

The Samsung Dart T499 was a budget-friendly option for those looking to dip their toes into the Android ecosystem without breaking the bank. While it served its purpose for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light browsing, it was quickly overshadowed by more powerful and feature-rich smartphones in the market.

Samsung I9100 Galaxy S II

Into Droid Leave a comment

Overview:

The Samsung I9100 Galaxy S II was the successor to the original Galaxy S and represented a significant leap forward in terms of design, performance, and features. It was widely acclaimed and became one of the best-selling smartphones of its time.

Features:

  1. Display: 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels.
  2. Processor: Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9.
  3. Camera: 8 MP primary camera with autofocus and LED flash, and a secondary 2 MP camera.
  4. Storage: 16/32 GB internal storage with an option to expand via a microSD card slot.
  5. OS: Initially shipped with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and was later upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean).
  6. Battery: 1650 mAh removable battery.
  7. Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC (in some versions), and GPS.

Pros:

  1. Performance: The dual-core processor made the Galaxy S II one of the fastest phones on the market at its launch.
  2. Camera Quality: The 8 MP camera was a significant improvement over its predecessor and captured high-quality photos.
  3. Slim Design: At just 8.5 mm thick, it was one of the slimmest smartphones available.
  4. Vivid Display: The Super AMOLED Plus display was brighter and more vibrant than the previous generation.

Cons:

  1. Plastic Build: While the phone was slim and lightweight, the predominantly plastic build made it feel less premium than some competitors.
  2. Battery Life: With increased performance came increased power consumption. The battery life was decent but not exceptional.
  3. Software Bloat: Samsung’s TouchWiz UI, while feature-rich, was often criticized for being bloated and slowing down the device over time.

Comparison to Other Technologies on the Market:

The main competitors at the time were the iPhone 4S and the HTC Sensation. The Galaxy S II boasted a larger screen and better performance than the iPhone 4S but lacked the cohesive ecosystem of Apple. Compared to the HTC Sensation, the Galaxy S II had a brighter display and was slimmer, but some preferred the build quality of the HTC device.

Launch Date: The Samsung I9100 Galaxy S II was launched in April 2011.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Overheating: Some users reported the device getting unusually hot, especially during intensive tasks.
  2. Screen Burn-in: Being an early AMOLED screen, there were reports of screen burn-in over prolonged use.
  3. Battery Drain: Some users experienced rapid battery drain issues, which could be attributed to software or specific apps.

Conclusion:

The Samsung I9100 Galaxy S II was a landmark device for Samsung and solidified its position as a major player in the smartphone market. It combined a sleek design with top-tier performance and was a favorite among Android enthusiasts. While it had its share of issues, its pros far outweighed its cons, making it one of the most iconic smartphones of its era.

Samsung I909 Galaxy S

Into Droid Leave a comment

Overview:

The Samsung I909 Galaxy S is one of the earlier models in Samsung’s Galaxy S series. It was primarily targeted at the Chinese market and supported both GSM and CDMA networks.

Features:

  • Display: 4.0-inch Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels.
  • Processor: 1 GHz Cortex-A8.
  • Camera: 5 MP primary camera with autofocus and a secondary VGA camera.
  • Storage: 8/16 GB internal storage with an option to expand via a microSD card slot.
  • OS: Initially shipped with Android 2.1 (Eclair) and was later upgradable to 2.2 (Froyo).
  • Battery: 1500 mAh removable battery.
  • Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.

Pros:

  • Super AMOLED Display: Even for its time, the Super AMOLED display was known for vibrant colors and deep blacks.
  • Expandable Storage: The option to expand storage with a microSD card was a plus.
  • Dual Network Support: The ability to support both GSM and CDMA was a unique feature, especially for the Chinese market.

Cons:

  • Outdated OS: Even though it received an update to Froyo, it quickly became outdated with the rapid evolution of Android.
  • Camera Quality: By today’s standards, the camera quality is quite low. Even for its time, it was decent but not outstanding.
  • Battery Life: The 1500 mAh battery might not last a full day with heavy usage.

Comparison to Other Technologies on the Market:

When the I909 was released, its main competitors were the iPhone 4 and other Android devices like the HTC Desire. Compared to the iPhone 4, the I909 had a larger screen but lacked the Retina display’s resolution. In terms of the Android ecosystem, while the I909 had the advantage of the Super AMOLED display, devices like the HTC Desire had a more robust build and arguably better software support.

Launch Date:

The Samsung I909 Galaxy S was launched in 2010.

Common Issues/Problems:

  • Software Updates: One of the main complaints was the lack of timely software updates. Many users were stuck on older versions of Android.
  • GPS Issues: Some users reported issues with the GPS not locking onto satellites quickly or accurately.
  • Laggy User Interface: Over time, the device could become laggy, especially with newer apps that were more resource-intensive.

Conclusion:

The Samsung I909 Galaxy S was a significant step for Samsung in establishing its presence in the smartphone market, especially in China. While it had its strengths, particularly the display, it also had its share of issues. By today’s standards, it’s a relic of the past, but it’s an essential piece in the history of Samsung’s rise in the smartphone world.