Price and specifications of Samsung A817 Solstice II advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview of the Samsung A817 Solstice II

The Samsung A817 Solstice II was launched in November 2010 as a follow-up to its predecessor, aiming to provide enhanced capabilities and features in the realm of feature phones. The Solstice II was designed to cater to users seeking essential functionality with a touch interface in a compact package, without venturing into the broader spectrum of smartphones.

Design and Build

The Samsung A817 Solstice II sports a classic and compact design, measuring 109 x 54.1 x 12 mm and weighing just 95 grams. Such dimensions make it a lightweight and portable device, easy to slip into any pocket or bag. The phone features a resistive touchscreen, a common choice in that era, supporting 65K colors for a basic yet effective user interface. The body houses a mini-SIM slot and comes in a standard black color, appealing to users who prefer a minimalist aesthetic.

Display

The Solstice II is equipped with a 3.35-inch TFT resistive touchscreen. The display offers a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels with a pixel density of approximately 139 ppi. Although modest by today's standards, this resolution provided a satisfactory viewing experience for images and basic apps. The screen-to-body ratio was around 54.2%, capitalizing on touch functionality for navigation through the device.

Camera Capabilities

The Solstice II houses a single 2 MP main camera. This camera included basic video recording capabilities, catering to users who wished to capture momentary snapshots or simple video clips without expecting high-definition quality. Despite lacking a selfie camera, the rear camera sufficed for illustrative photography needs of its time.

Performance and Software

Supporting GSM and HSPA technology, the device offered connectivity across multiple bands, including GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and HSDPA 850/900/2100, with browsing speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps on HSPA networks. Unlike smartphones, the Solstice II operated on a simple feature phone operating system, focusing on essential telecommunication and messaging functionalities. This included threaded SMS views, MMS, email support, and a WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML browser.

Storage and Memory

The Solstice II came with 256MB of internal storage, modest for its primary functions. It provided a microSDHC card slot for expandable storage, making it adaptable for users requiring more space for media and applications. The phonebook capacity extended up to 2000 entries, which was substantial for the target user base at that time.

Battery Life

One of the device's notable features was its removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery. Such a battery configuration permitted approximately 250 hours of standby time and around 5 hours of talk time, fulfilling basic daily requirements for many users. The ability to remove and replace the battery also extended the overall longevity of the device.

Connectivity Options

Despite lacking Wi-Fi capabilities, the Solstice II ensured connectivity through Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP support and GPS capabilities, including A-GPS for rudimentary location services. Additionally, microUSB 2.0 served as the primary interface for charging and data transfer, aligning with the standard practice in devices of its category during that period.

Multimedia and Additional Features

The absence of a loudspeaker and 3.5mm headphone jack did limit audio options somewhat, though external solutions could be found through Bluetooth. The device came equipped with Java support (MIDP 2.0) and downloadable game options, providing fundamental entertainment possibilities. This was further enhanced by the inclusion of a basic set of in-built games to engage users looking for leisure activities on-the-go.

Market Position and Conclusion

Priced approximately at 90 EUR upon release, the Samsung A817 Solstice II was positioned competitively within the market of feature phones, aiming to meet the needs of users seeking a device for standard communication and basic multimedia functionalities. Despite lacking some advanced features growing popular at the time, it offered reliable performance with touch interface convenience, suitable for many non-technical users.