Samsung B520 Unveiling Features Pricing and Performance

Overview of Samsung B520

The Samsung B520 is a feature phone that was introduced to the market in December 2008 and released in 2009. It is now discontinued, but it was a reliable option for those seeking a basic mobile device during its time. Its affordable price point of around €40 made it an attractive option for users who needed fundamental features without the complexity of modern smartphones.

Network and Connectivity

The Samsung B520 operates on a GSM network with support for GSM 900 and 1800 bands. This allowed for a broad range of coverage in various regions. However, it only supports GPRS for data transfer, with no support for EDGE or any form of high-speed data, which is typical for feature phones of this era. Connectivity options are quite limited, with no Bluetooth or WLAN capabilities, making it suitable for straightforward communication without internet-based functionalities.

Design and Build

The phone’s design is straightforward, with dimensions of 96 x 47 x 17.5 mm and a weight of 94 grams. It is compact, fitting comfortably in hand or pocket. The phone utilizes a Mini-SIM format, which was standard during the time of its release. Its build quality is robust, making it a durable choice for users needing a device that withstands everyday wear.

Display Features

The Samsung B520 features a 1.77-inch CSTN display capable of showing up to 65,000 colors. The screen resolution stands at 128 x 160 pixels, providing a pixel density of approximately 116 pixels per inch. While not particularly impressive by today's standards, this was adequate for displaying text and simplistic graphics during the phone's active years.

Memory and Storage

Memory options on the Samsung B520 include a small internal storage of 20MB. However, it offers a microSD slot that allows users to expand storage, primarily useful for storing contacts and a limited number of media files. The phonebook can hold up to 1000 contacts, and it supports photo call. Additionally, it keeps records of the last 30 dialed, received, and missed calls.

Audio and Sound

The device comes equipped with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, allowing for basic audio output. Users could listen to the FM radio, and the phone even supports FM recording—a nifty feature for users interested in recording broadcasts. Unfortunately, music playback options are limited by the device's storage constraints and absence of advanced connectivity options like Bluetooth.

Communication and Messaging

Despite its basic design, the Samsung B520 is quite versatile in terms of messaging. It supports SMS, MMS, and Email, catering to different communication needs, albeit within the limitations of its feature phone capabilities. Its browser supports WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML, allowing basic internet browsing—though limited by the constraints of GPRS data speeds.

Battery Life

The phone is powered by a removable Li-Ion 800 mAh battery, offering up to 390 hours of standby time and up to 7 hours of talk time. This battery life was sufficient for users who predominantly used the phone for calls and texts, requiring less frequent charging compared to modern smartphones.

Additional Features

The Samsung B520 includes Java MIDP 2.0 support, enabling basic gaming and application usage. While it does not include a camera, users could still enjoy simple games and other Java-based applications available at the time. The phone primarily targets users interested in communication over complex multimedia experiences.

Conclusion

In summary, the Samsung B520 delivered what was necessary for its time—a reliable, cost-effective option for communication with essential features. While it lacks the advanced capabilities of modern devices, its durability, long battery life, and focus on core functionalities made it a valuable choice for users with simple needs. Today, it stands as a reminder of the mobile technology evolution from basic feature phones to today’s sophisticated smartphones.