Price and specifications of Samsung Ativ S I8750 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview of Samsung Ativ S I8750

The Samsung Ativ S I8750 was a remarkable device when it was launched in August 2012, primarily due to its incorporation of Windows Phone 8, an operating system developed by Microsoft. Positioned as one of the first smartphones by Samsung to operate on this platform, it represented a significant entry into the market for those looking for alternatives to the dominant Android and iOS systems at the time. The Samsung Ativ S I8750 showcased a combination of solid hardware and software attributes, making it a noteworthy competitor in the smartphone industry of its era.

Design and Build

Measuring 137.2 x 70.5 x 8.7 mm and weighing 135 g, the Samsung Ativ S I8750 boasts a slim and lightweight design, making it easy to handle and extremely portable for everyday use. The device features a solid yet stylish exterior with a metallic finish that provides a modern aesthetic. Its slim body is coupled with a Super AMOLED display, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 2, ensuring durability against scratches and drops. The ergonomic design of the Samsung Ativ S makes it comfortable to hold for extended periods, appealing to users who prioritize both functionality and style.

Display Technology

The Samsung Ativ S I8750 sports a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, offering a pixel density of approximately 306 ppi. This combination results in sharp and vibrant visuals, excellent contrast ratios, and deep blacks, delivering an impressive viewing experience for multimedia consumption. The screen size and quality make it suitable for browsing the web, streaming videos, or viewing photos with ease, providing users with a visually engaging experience.

Performance

Under the hood, the Samsung Ativ S I8750 is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus chipset. It houses a dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait CPU and an Adreno 225 GPU. Despite being a dual-core setup, the processing power ensures smooth and efficient performance for everyday tasks, such as browsing, social media usage, and standard app operation. The 1GB RAM complements the processor, allowing for multitasking, though it may occasionally exhibit limitations when handling more resource-intensive applications.

Camera Features

The phone is equipped with an 8 MP rear camera that includes autofocus and an LED flash, capable of shooting 1080p videos at 30fps. This camera setup allowed the device to capture quality photos and videos under regular conditions, making it ideal for casual photography enthusiasts. Additionally, the 1.9 MP front camera serves well for video calls and basic selfies, albeit with limited quality compared to more modern devices. The camera's capabilities reflect the standards of its release period, adequate for capturing everyday moments and social media sharing.

Battery Performance

With a removable Li-Ion 2300 mAh battery, the Samsung Ativ S I8750 offers reasonable longevity. The battery life provides up to 168 hours of standby time on 2G networks and up to 218 hours on 3G networks. Users can expect up to 8 hours of talk time on 2G and approximately 14 hours and 50 minutes on 3G. These figures denote a robust energy performance suitable for all-day usage on moderate activity levels, though high-demand tasks may drain battery life more quickly.

Operating System and Software

Samsung Ativ S I8750 initially shipped with Microsoft Windows Phone 8 and was upgradable to Windows Phone 8.1.1. The Windows Phone ecosystem offered a distinct user interface characterized by its tile-based design, integrating Microsoft services like Outlook, OneDrive, and Xbox. However, it had a more limited selection of applications compared to competing platforms. Nonetheless, the operating system provided a smooth and fluid user experience, appealing to those who preferred Windows-based environments on mobile devices.

Storage and Connectivity

The device is available with internal storage options of 16GB and 32GB, paired with 1GB RAM. Additionally, it features a microSDHC card slot, permitting expandable storage that grants users enhanced flexibility to save media and apps. In terms of connectivity, the Samsung Ativ S I8750 supports GSM and HSPA technologies, offering reliable network capabilities. It comes with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot options, Bluetooth 3.0, NFC, GPS with A-GPS, and GLONASS, ensuring comprehensive connectivity solutions for various user needs.

Market Positioning and Conclusion

Priced around 220 EUR at launch, the Samsung Ativ S I8750 aimed to assert itself as a viable alternative in the smartphone market by offering a balance of performance, design, and price. Although the device is now discontinued and overtaken by subsequent technological advances, it remains a part of early smartphone history that depicted a meaningful shift toward diversified operating systems. While it couldn't capture significant market share against Android and iOS, the Samsung Ativ S nevertheless provided a doorway for users into the world of Microsoft’s mobile operating systems, leaving a legacy as one of the pioneering Windows Phones by Samsung.