Price and specifications of Samsung F268 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview of Samsung F268

The Samsung F268, announced and released in August 2008, is a feature phone that catered to users looking for basic functionality with certain multimedia capabilities. As smartphones were just beginning to gain momentum, feature phones like the Samsung F268 filled a niche for consumers who desired a combination of communication, rudimentary internet access, and a camera all in one device.

Design and Build

The Samsung F268 measures 99 x 48.6 x 14.8 mm and weighs 96.5 grams, making it compact and lightweight. The black body of the phone gives it a sleek and professional look. Its size and weight made it easy to carry, fitting easily into pockets and small bags, which was an essential feature for users who were always on the move.

The device supports a Mini-SIM, a standard size for many phones at the time, allowing users to swap SIM cards with ease. The external design features a TFT display with 256K colors, which was adequate for basic viewing needs. Offering a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 28.8%, the 2.1-inch display, though small by today's standards, was common for feature phones of this era.

Display Characteristics

The Samsung F268 is equipped with a 2.1-inch display with a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of about 134 ppi. While it doesn't offer the clarity and color accuracy seen in modern smartphones, the display was sufficient for basic phone operations, browsing, and viewing images captured by the phone's camera.

Camera Capabilities

The phone features a single 2 MP main camera, which was a considerable attribute for a feature phone during its time. The ability to capture photos and record video allowed users to document moments on the go, providing a blend of functionality that was quite appealing at the time. Though it lacks a front-facing camera, the 2 MP rear camera sufficed for casual photography needs.

Battery Performance

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 880 mAh battery, the Samsung F268 offered a talk time of up to 3 hours and a standby time of up to 200 hours. This battery life was designed to support the limited power requirements of the phone's features, providing users with reliable uptime for calls and text messages throughout the day.

Memory and Storage Options

The phone includes 16MB of internal storage, which can be expanded using a microSDHC card. The expandable storage option allowed users to store more photos, ringtones, and applications. Its phonebook could store up to 1000 entries, which was an excellent feature for business users or social individuals who required extensive contact storage.

Network and Connectivity Features

The Samsung F268 supported GSM technology on 2G bands (GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900). Connectivity options included GPRS and EDGE (both Class 10), enabling basic internet access for checking emails or browsing the web using the built-in WAP 2.0/xHTML/HTML browser. While it lacked WLAN, it was equipped with Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, allowing users to connect wireless audio devices.

Additional Functionalities

The phone supported SMS, MMS, and Email messaging options, providing versatile communication means similar to early smartphones. The inclusion of Java (MIDP 2.0) allowed users to download and run various Java applications and games, offering an element of personalized entertainment beyond typical feature phone capabilities.

However, the device lacked modern sensors and positioning services (e.g., GPS), reflecting its primary role as a simple communication device rather than a sophisticated handheld computer.

Audio Features

The Samsung F268 came with a loudspeaker but did not feature a 3.5mm headphone jack, limiting headphone options. Users instead used Bluetooth headsets or stereo earphones via the phone's Bluetooth A2DP functionality for wireless audio streaming.

Pricing and Market Status

When released, the Samsung F268 was priced at approximately 100 EUR. Over the years, as technology advanced rapidly and feature phones gave way to smartphones, the device has been discontinued and is now primarily a collectible or a basic communication device with nostalgic appeal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Samsung F268 represented a segment of mobile technology that provided practical functionality without excess. The phone was well-suited for its time, offering essential multimedia features while remaining an accessible choice for many consumers. Despite being discontinued, the F268 remains an intriguing device to study, representing an era of transition from feature phones to the smartphones we know today.