Samsung A797 Flight Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview

The Samsung A797 Flight, released in late 2009, entered the market as a feature phone designed to meet the communication needs without the complexity of a modern smartphone. While it lacks some of the innovative features seen in today's smartphones, the A797 Flight targeted users looking for simplicity, reliability, and essential phone features. It prominently features a full QWERTY keyboard, which was regarded as a selling point during its time.

Design and Build

The Samsung A797 Flight presents a robust design with dimensions of 105.9 x 55.9 x 12.7 mm and a weight of 136 g. Its compact build makes it comfortable to hold, while the QWERTY keyboard is revealed through a slide mechanism, facilitating easy typing—a crucial feature for users engaging in SMS and email communication. The phone's body, available in Burgundy red and Silver, exudes a subtle charm catering to different aesthetic preferences.

Display

The device features a 2.8-inch resistive TFT touchscreen, displaying 256K colors. With a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels and a 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density), the display offers adequate clarity for basic tasks although it lacks the vibrancy and sharpness of more modern screens found on contemporary devices.

Camera

The Samsung A797 Flight comes with a single 2 MP rear camera that provides basic photography capabilities. While it doesn't support advanced photography features, it can capture modest images and video at 320p quality. This camera setup is aimed at users who require simple point-and-shoot functionality.

Performance and Storage

Performance-wise, this feature phone is equipped with a modest internal memory of 190MB, alongside a dedicated microSDHC slot for expandable storage. Although specific details about the RAM and the processor are not emphasized, the phone performs reliably for basic tasks such as calling, texting, and light applications that don't require heavy processing power.

Software and User Interface

Running a feature phone operating system, the A797 Flight is not designed to accommodate app markets or advanced software functionalities typical in modern smartphones. However, it supports essential communication features such as SMS (threaded view), MMS, Email, and IM. Its menu system is straightforward and tailored for effortless navigation.

Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the A797 Flight supports GSM and HSPA technology, offering speeds of HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps. Although it lacks Wi-Fi connectivity, it compensates with Bluetooth 2.0, allowing wireless communication with other devices. The presence of A-GPS with AT&T Navigator provides basic navigation support, although it cannot compare with today's GPS capabilities.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery, the Samsung A797 Flight offers a talk time of up to 3 hours and a standby time of up to 360 hours. The battery life is relatively adequate for a device intended for basic usage but falls short for users expecting prolonged usage without frequent recharges.

Voice and Audio

Equipped with a loudspeaker, the device ensures clear audio output in phone calls and media playback. The notable absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack may require users to rely on Bluetooth headsets for private listening experiences.

Network and Communication

Supporting 2G and 3G bands, the Samsung A797 Flight accommodates basic network requirements and operates on a Mini-SIM. With a phonebook capacity of 2000 contacts, it provides ample space for contact management, complemented by features such as photocall and call records maintenance for up to 30 entries of received, dialed, and missed calls.

Additional Features

Though relatively simplistic, the phone includes some additional functionalities like Java support (MIDP 2.0), enabling basic Java applications. Gaming is also possible, though limited in scope compared to today’s game-rich smartphones. The phone’s browser, supporting WAP 2.0/xHTML (NetFront), allows for light web browsing, albeit with constraints in speed and quality due to the device’s limitations.

Conclusion

The Samsung A797 Flight stands as a classic representation of early mobile phone technology, prioritizing basic communication needs over advanced functionalities. Despite its discontinuation, it remains a symbol of the transitional phase from basic cell phones to modern smartphones, cherished for its simplicity and functional design.