Samsung F300 Comprehensive Review Specs Pricing and More

Overview of Samsung F300

Released in December 2006, the Samsung F300 is a unique device that combines the functionality of two devices into one compact form. Its innovative design and feature set aimed to cater to users who desired a blend of phone and media capabilities.

Design and Build

The Samsung F300 is a dual-sided phone with a distinctive design that sets it apart from other devices of its time. Measuring 103.5 x 44 x 9.4 mm and weighing just 77 grams, it's a lightweight and slim device. One side of the phone is dedicated to standard phone functions with a keypad and a small display, while the other side features a media player interface with a larger 2.1-inch TFT display. The device comes in three color variants: Black/Blue, White/Orange, and Red, providing options for different aesthetic preferences.

Display

The Samsung F300 features a 2.1-inch TFT display with a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels, which is typical for devices of this era. The display supports up to 256K colors, offering decent color reproduction given its size and technology. While the screen size and resolution might seem modest by today's standards, it was quite satisfactory for media playback and basic phone functions during its time.

Camera Capabilities

The device includes a single 2 MP main camera, which can capture images and record videos at 320p resolution. This camera capability is basic and aligns with the expectations of mobile phones from the mid-2000s. It offers users the ability to capture quick snapshots and videos, although the absence of a selfie camera limits its use for self-portraits.

Audio and Connectivity

For audio, the Samsung F300 is equipped with a loudspeaker and supports vibration and downloadable polyphonic or MP3 ringtones. However, it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, which means users need to rely on Bluetooth (version 2.0 with A2DP support) for wireless audio connectivity or listen through the integrated speaker.

Connectivity options are limited to certain features typical of that period. The device supports GSM network technology with bands 900/1800/1900 and provides GPRS and EDGE for data transfer. The absence of WLAN means users cannot connect to Wi-Fi networks, but the inclusion of a stereo FM radio offers an alternative for enjoying music and news broadcasts. A USB 2.0 port is provided for wired connectivity.

Battery Life

This device comes with a removable Li-Ion 720 mAh battery. While the battery capacity might sound small by today's standards, it offered a stand-by time of up to 155 hours and a talk time of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. The mechanical simplicity allowed users to replace the battery easily, a feature that is less common in modern smartphones.

Internal Memory and Storage

The Samsung F300 comes with an internal storage of 128MB, which can store basic apps and files. It features a microSD card slot for expanding storage capacity, allowing users to save and play more music files, which was essential for those using the device as a media player. The phonebook can hold up to 1000 entries with photocall capabilities, and it logs up to 30 dialed, received, and missed calls.

Operating System and Features

The phone operates on its proprietary feature phone OS, typical of mobile devices from Samsung before the widespread adoption of smartphones and Android OS. Messaging formats supported include SMS, EMS, and MMS, providing essential communication methods. The browser is a WAP 2.0/xHTML type, adequate for basic web browsing. Some notable absences are Java support and dedicated games, which might limit the entertainment options initially expected by some users.

Launch and Market Performance

Announced and released in December 2006, the Samsung F300 eye-catchingly blended modern design with innovative features for its time. Priced at approximately 180 EUR at launch, it aimed at users looking for a budget-friendly media handset. Despite its discontinuation, the phone is remembered for its unique dual-sided design which pre-empted the converging interests of media consumption and telecommunications.

Conclusion

Overall, the Samsung F300 is an intriguing piece of mobile technology history. Although it did not feature the most advanced specifications, it succeeded in providing users with a distinctive, dual-purpose device. Its attempt at integrating a mobile phone with a dedicated media player paved the way for the multifunctional smartphones we rely on today. While the F300 might not meet modern expectations, its contribution to mobile design innovation remains noteworthy.