Price and specifications of Samsung C3010 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview

The Samsung C3010 is a feature phone that was released in February 2009. It was a simple device, catering to users who needed basic functionalities without the complexities of smartphones. Samsung C3010 offers essential features suitable for casual phone users who primarily used their devices for calls and messaging.

Design and Build

The Samsung C3010 boasts a compact and lightweight design, measuring 110.5 x 45.8 x 12.1 mm and weighing only 66 grams. Its slim profile makes it easy to hold and operate with one hand, a design aspect that many users appreciated during its time. The phone accommodates a Mini-SIM card, fitting seamlessly into its straightforward construction. The minimalistic design, featuring a small TFT display with 65K colors, emphasizes practicality over extravagance.

Display

The device comes with a 2.0-inch TFT screen, which offers a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels and a pixel density of about 102 ppi. Although the screen size and resolution may seem meager by today's standards, for its time and category, it was sufficiently clear for reading messages and browsing contacts. The screen-to-body ratio of approximately 24.9% highlights the phone's design focus on compactness rather than display dominance.

Camera

Equipped with a 0.3 MP VGA main camera, the Samsung C3010 could capture basic photos, suited to capturing routine moments rather than professional photography. The camera could also record videos at QCIF resolution at 15fps. While the camera specs were modest, they aligned with the primary needs of the phone's target demographic.

Memory and Storage

The phone included an internal memory of 15 MB, which could store essential contacts and messages. With a dedicated slot, users could expand the storage using a microSDHC card, allowing for additional flexibility in storing media files and downloaded games. The phonebook had the capability to store up to 1000 entries, with photocall features, enabling users to attach photos to their contacts for easy caller identification.

Network and Connectivity

The Samsung C3010 supported GSM network technology and operated on 2G bands, including GSM 900, 1800, and 1900 frequencies. The device included GPRS and EDGE capabilities, both rated at Class 10, enabling basic levels of data connectivity common for feature phones of its time. While lacking advanced connectivity features like WLAN or GPS, it was equipped with Bluetooth 2.0 and USB 2.0 for simple file transfers and charging.

Sound and Features

In terms of audio, the C3010 featured a loudspeaker but lacked a 3.5mm headphone jack, limiting options for private listening. Additionally, the phone came with an FM radio with RDS, allowing users to listen to their favorite radio stations. The entertainment features included built-in games and support for Java MIDP 2.0 applications, offering a modest variety of downloadable games and utilities for casual use.

Battery Life

The phone was powered by a removable Li-Ion 800 mAh battery, which provided up to 340 hours of standby time and up to 8 hours of talk time. The battery performance was well-suited for the phone's minimal power requirements, ensuring long durations between charging sessions for users who prioritized battery longevity.

Messaging and Browser

The Samsung C3010 supported various messaging options, including SMS, MMS, and Email, catering to the different communication preferences of users. The phone's WAP 2.0/xHTML browser (Openwave 6.2.3) allowed for basic internet browsing, though limited by the capabilities of the network and browser technology at the time.

Launch and Availability

Announced and subsequently released in early 2009, the Samsung C3010 was made available at an introductory price of about 80 EUR. However, like many feature phones from that era, it has since been discontinued. During its availability, it was primarily targeted towards budget-conscious consumers needing a reliable phone for essential communication tasks.

Conclusion

In summary, the Samsung C3010 succeeded in providing a straightforward, dependable communication tool for users seeking simplicity and affordability. Its practical design, combined with a focus on essential features, made it a suitable choice for those who preferred ease of use over advanced technological attributes. While it may not offer the functionalities expected of modern smartphones, the Samsung C3010 remains a reflection of a time when reliability and simplicity defined mobile communication.