Samsung A257 Magnet Full Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview

The Samsung A257 Magnet is a mobile device that was introduced by Samsung in March 2009 and released in May of the same year. It represents a specific era of mobile technology where feature phones were transitioning towards incorporating more sophisticated functionalities that were characteristic of early smartphones. The A257 Magnet focuses on providing essential communication features with some elements of modern connectivity. Below is a detailed examination of its specifications and features.

Design and Build

The Samsung A257 Magnet boasts a simple yet functional design. With dimensions of 109 x 59 x 12 mm and a weight of 87.6 g, it was designed to be portable and easy to handle. The device comes with a QWERTY keyboard, which was a defining feature at the time, aimed at facilitating easy typing and instant messaging. The body is made robust, showing off a black color theme, which adds to its sleek and professional look.

Display

Equipped with a 2.2-inch TFT display that supports 65K colors, the Samsung A257 offers a moderate display quality suitable for basic phone functions. The screen resolution stands at 220 x 176 pixels, which translates to a pixel density of around 128 ppi. While this might not compare to the vivid displays of modern smartphones, it serves its purpose well for text-based interactions and basic graphics.

Camera

The device includes a single VGA camera which is capable of capturing images, albeit with limited clarity and detail. It does not support video recording, highlighting its focus on basic image capturing rather than multimedia function. Given the technological standards at the time, this was sufficient for capturing simple photographs.

Performance and Storage

The Samsung A257 Magnet does not feature a dedicated modern smartphone processor but instead is powered as a feature phone, which means it is optimized for essential phone functions like calls, texting, and basic applications. The internal storage capacity is 64MB, which is minimal by today’s standards, and it does not include a card slot for expanded memory. The phonebook supports photo call, which means contacts can be assigned images for easier identification.

Connectivity

The phone supports GSM networks, including bands 850, 900, 1800, and 1900, making it versatile for various 2G network usages around the globe. Its data capabilities include GPRS and EDGE for basic internet access. It does not come equipped with Wi-Fi, positioning systems, or radio features, but it supports Bluetooth 2.0 technology, allowing for short-range wireless communication between devices. USB 2.0 support is also included for wired data transfer.

Battery Life

The Samsung A257 uses a removable Li-Ion 800 mAh battery, which provides up to 240 hours of standby time and around 5 hours of talk time. The battery life reflects the efficiency of feature phones, which typically last significantly longer on a single charge compared to contemporary smartphones.

Messaging and Browser

This device prioritizes communication with support for SMS, MMS, email, and instant messaging (IM). For web browsing, it utilizes a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser. Although not equipped for heavy internet use, these capabilities allowed users to stay connected in simpler online environments.

Additional Features

As a feature phone, the Samsung A257 Magnet includes some basic applications and functionalities like games and Java support (MIDP 2.0), which could be used for running simple applications. The absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack and loudspeaker highlights the focus on communication rather than entertainment.

Final Thoughts

The Samsung A257 Magnet represents a snapshot of feature phone evolution into the more connected world. It emphasizes core functionalities over entertainment and multimedia features, catering to users who primarily need reliable communication tools. Despite its discontinuation, the A257 Magnet serves as a testament to Samsung's role in bridging the transition from traditional phones to smartphones.