Samsung A927 Flight II Comprehensive Review & Pricing

Samsung A927 Flight II Overview

The Samsung A927 Flight II, released in August 2010, is a feature phone that offers a blend of traditional phone functionality with some additional features typical of smartphones at the time. It's a device that targets individuals who prefer the tactile response of a physical keyboard combined with a touch interface. Although it was discontinued shortly after its release, its design and specifications provide insight into the transitional era of mobile technology.

Design and Build

The Samsung A927 Flight II comes with a compact and lightweight design, measuring 111.8 x 53.3 x 12.7 mm and weighing only 99 grams. These dimensions make it a comfortable device to carry around. The phone features a sliding QWERTY keyboard, allowing users to type messages and emails with ease, a feature that was quite popular in the era before the dominance of touchscreen keyboards. The body of the phone is mostly plastic, contributing to its lightweight nature, while the Mini-SIM slot is a standard offering for devices of that age.

Display

Samsung A927 Flight II sports a 3.0-inch TFT display with a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels. While modern standards might find this small and low resolution, at the time, this was adequate for basic multimedia consumption and navigation. The screen supports 256,000 colors, providing a vibrant enough viewing experience for images and basic videos.

Camera

Equipped with a 2 MP rear camera, the Samsung A927 Flight II allows users to capture photos and videos. Although the camera specifications seem basic by today’s standards, they were reasonable for a feature phone in 2010. The phone lacks a front-facing camera, as selfies and video calls were not as prevalent at that time.

Network and Connectivity

The device supports GSM and HSPA network technology, allowing for connectivity on 2G and 3G bands. Specifically, it operates on GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and HSDPA 850/1900 frequencies. The absence of WiFi functionality in the Samsung A927 Flight II means that users rely on cellular data for internet access. However, the inclusion of Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP enables basic wireless connectivity for peripherals.

Memory and Storage

The internal memory of 512MB is modest, but it supports expansion through a microSDHC card slot, allowing users to store more media and files. The phone book feature supports photocall, and users can manage 90 records of received, dialed, and missed calls, providing satisfactory storage for contacts and call history.

Battery Life

The Samsung A927 Flight II is powered by a removable Li-Ion battery, promising up to 250 hours of standby time and approximately 5 hours of talk time. This kind of battery life was typical for feature phones, offering reliability for day-long use without needing constant recharging.

User Interface and Features

The phone operates as a feature phone, with a focus on simplicity and ease of use in its operating system. Messaging options include SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email, IM, and RSS, covering a broad spectrum of communication methods. The WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML browser provides basic web browsing capabilities, although it can be limited compared to modern smartphones. The inclusion of Java MIDP 2.0 support allows for running simple applications and games.

Audio and Multimedia

For entertainment, the Samsung A927 Flight II contains a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, enabling users to listen to music with their headphones. Though it does not come with a built-in FM radio, users can enjoy audio content saved on their devices or streamed through capable applications.

Legacy and Discontinuation

The Samsung A927 Flight II, priced at about 110 EUR at launch, represents a segment of mobile technology designed to provide text-centric functionality with a hint of evolving smartphone capabilities. Its discontinuation is part of the natural progression as mobile technology advanced to fully embrace smartphones with extensive touch capabilities and app ecosystems.

Conclusion

Although the Samsung A927 Flight II may not offer the extensive features of modern smartphones, it serves as a historical piece illustrating the evolution of mobile devices. Its combination of a physical keyboard, modest multimedia capabilities, and practical design would appeal to users preferring a simple yet functional device during its time.