Samsung F480i Unveiling Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of Samsung F480i

The Samsung F480i, announced in February 2009 and released in August 2009, marked a significant development in feature phones by offering a blend of style and functionality. This model was eventually discontinued, but it stood out during its time for offering practical features often desired by users who were transitioning from basic phones to more sophisticated mobile devices without completely committing to a smartphone.

Design and Build

The Samsung F480i's design was compact and sleek, weighing 106 grams with dimensions of 98.4 x 55 x 11.6 mm. This made it an easy-to-carry device with a stylish aesthetic. The phone incorporated a Mini-SIM card slot and was available in several colors including Black, Pink, La Fleur, and Pearl White, catering to a diverse taste among users.

Display Quality

This device featured a TFT display measuring 2.8 inches with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. Although the screen might seem small by today's standards, it was adequate for a feature phone in 2009. The display supported 256K colors, providing users with vivid and clear visuals, making it a delightful experience for viewing photos and simple media.

Camera Capabilities

One of the standout features of the Samsung F480i was its 5 MP rear camera. Accompanied by an LED flash, it offered autofocus capabilities that allowed users to capture reasonably good quality photos and 320p video recordings. The front camera, though VGA quality, served its purpose primarily for video calls, which was a popular feature at that time.

Battery Life

The device was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery. While it might seem modest, this battery provided up to 250 hours of standby time and around 3 hours of talk time, which was quite acceptable for the usage patterns of mobile phones during that era.

Network and Connectivity

The F480i supported GSM and HSPA networks, functioning on bands GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 for 2G and HSDPA 2100 for 3G. It offered data speeds up to 7.2 Mbps, which facilitated basic internet usage. However, it lacked WLAN connectivity but compensated with Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless file transfers and stereo headset connections. Additionally, the device came with USB 2.0 support for wired connections.

Storage and Memory

Internally, the Samsung F480i was equipped with 160MB of storage, which could be expanded using a microSDHC card thanks to its dedicated slot. It could store up to 2000 contact entries and kept records of the last 30 dialed, received, and missed calls. Such features were crucial for users needing to maintain a comprehensive phonebook and call log.

Multimedia Features

The handset supported SMS, EMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging, and RSS, covering a wide range of communication media. For entertainment, it included a stereo FM radio with RDS and support for Java MIDP 2.0 games, offering users a modest array of features to enjoy during their leisure time. The absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack was a minor drawback, though a loudspeaker feature was available for hands-free listening.

Operating System and Performance

The F480i operated on a proprietary feature phone OS, typical for phones of its class, focusing on basic functionality and user-friendly navigation rather than the app-centric performance of modern smartphones. It lacked the processing power and RAM specifications common in contemporary devices but excelled in providing seamless and bug-free performance for its intended tasks.

Conclusion

While the Samsung F480i may not compete with modern smartphones, it was a representative of its time, combining necessary mobile features with a stylish design. It provided users a reliable and straightforward mobile solution, especially for those who valued functionality over advanced smartphone capabilities. Despite its discontinuation, the Samsung F480i remains a nostalgic reminder of the evolution in mobile telephony over the years.