Samsung Cht 322 Specs Prices Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview and Design

The Samsung Ch@t 322, launched in November 2010, stands as a classic example of a feature phone from the early 2010s. Known for its robust design and practical features, it was designed to cater to individuals who sought basic functionality without the complexities of smartphones. The body dimensions measure 109.5 x 60 x 12.3 mm, and it weighs a manageable 95 grams. The dual SIM support was among its standout features, enabling users to operate two separate phone numbers in a single device—making it particularly appealing to those who needed to separate personal and work communications. The QWERTY keyboard is another notable element, providing users with a tactile feel and efficiency in typing.

Display

The device comes equipped with a 2.2-inch TFT display supporting 256K colors, with a resolution of 220 x 176 pixels. The screen size was suitable for the device's primary purpose: calls, messaging, and basic browsing. Although compact, it provided sufficient clarity for the tasks typical of a feature phone, such as reading messages and navigating menus the screen occupies approximately 23.2% of the front panel, consistent with design norms of the time for feature phones.

Camera

The Samsung Ch@t 322 comes with a 1.3 MP main camera. While not advanced by today's standards, it was acceptable for capturing casual photos and videos at QCIF@15fps. It does not feature a secondary camera, which was common for phones of this category and time.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the phone offers 54MB of storage. Though minimal by today's measures, this was not uncommon for feature phones at the time, which primarily focused on communication rather than multimedia storage. To expand storage capacity, users can utilize the dedicated microSDHC card slot. The phone also holds a phonebook capacity of up to 1000 entries and can record 255 dialed, 255 received, and 255 missed calls, ensuring users could maintain a comprehensive log of their interactions.

Battery Life

The phone is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery. Given the limited energy requirements of feature phones, this capacity allows for significant usage. Samsung claimed an impressive standby time of up to 500 hours and a talk time of 11 hours, making the Ch@t 322 reliable for users who required long-lasting battery life without daily charging.

Network and Connectivity

The Samsung Ch@t 322 operates on GSM technology and supports 2G bands including GSM 850/900/1800/1900. While it lacks 3G or 4G connectivity, it provides essential mobile communication features along with Class 10 GPRS. Although EDGE is not supported, other connectivity options include Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, FM radio with recording capability, and microUSB support.

Audio and Multimedia

With a built-in loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, the phone provides good-quality audio praise its support for FM radio, which is a valuable feature for users who enjoy listening to music or news broadcasts on the go. The ability to record FM radio further enhances its multimedia capabilities. The Java support (MIDP 2.0) allows for the installation and use of additional games and applications, though these are limited in comparison to modern smartphones.

Software and Features

The Ch@t 322 runs on a proprietary operating system, typical for feature phones of its era. It supports SMS, MMS, email, Push Email, and IM messaging, offering a range of communication media options. The browser, though basic, allows for WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML browsing, sufficient for essential web access. The device does not support WLAN or GPS positioning, focusing instead on its core competencies as a communication device.

Market Position and Discontinuation

Upon its release, the Samsung Ch@t 322 was priced at about 60 EUR, rendering it an affordable choice for those seeking a straightforward, reliable mobile phone. Available in black, white, and pink, it catered to a variety of aesthetic preferences. However, like many feature phones, it was eventually discontinued as advancements in technology and the growing popularity of smartphones shifted consumer demand.

Conclusion

The Samsung Ch@t 322 is emblematic of a different era in mobile technology. With its focus on communication and practicality, it met the needs of users who valued battery life, simplicity, and the ability to manage multiple SIM cards efficiently. Today, while smartphones dominate the landscape, devices like the Ch@t 322 continue to hold a place in the hearts of those who appreciate straightforward, no-nonsense mobile communications.