Samsung Fascinate Specs Prices Pros & Cons Unveiled

Network Technology

The Samsung Fascinate employs CDMA/EVDO network technology, supporting both 2G and 3G bands. Specifically, it is compatible with CDMA 800/1900 for 2G and CDMA2000 1xEV-DO for 3G, providing users with reasonable connectivity options prevalent during its release. The network speed is EV-DO Rev.A, which can theoretically reach up to 3.1 Mbps. Although not exceptional by modern standards, it was considered adequate for the time, facilitating satisfactory browsing and app usage experiences.

Launch and Availability

Announced in June 2010 and released in Q3 of 2010, the Samsung Fascinate was part of the renowned Samsung Galaxy S series. It was marketed as a high-functioning smartphone during that period but has since been discontinued. The discontinuation status is typical for technology products as newer models consistently replace older versions.

Body and Design

In terms of dimensions, the Samsung Fascinate measures 125 x 64 x 10.5 mm, which was relatively compact for its release period. Weighing 116 g, it was lightweight, enhancing its portability. The device accommodates a Mini-SIM, aligning with common practices during that time. Its design ethos focused on ergonomics and user comfort, with a sleek blend of black, grey, and white color options available.

Display

Featuring a 4.0-inch Super AMOLED display, the Samsung Fascinate provides richness and vibrancy in color reproduction. The screen has a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels (233 ppi), which yields a satisfactory display experience for video playback and application interfaces. Its screen-to-body ratio stands at approximately 56.9%, which further highlights its display-centric design. Additionally, the inclusion of Corning Gorilla Glass ensures added protection against scratches and impacts.

Platform and Performance

Operating initially on Android 2.1 (Eclair) and upgradable to Android 2.2 (Froyo), the Samsung Fascinate offers basic smartphone functionalities and access to early Android applications. The device is powered by a Hummingbird chipset with a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 CPU and a PowerVR SGX540 GPU, providing satisfactory performance for daily tasks and mild multitasking. The hardware configuration was typical for mid to high-end smartphones of the period.

Memory

The device comes with an internal memory of 2GB, essential for application storage and system operations. For additional storage needs, it includes a dedicated microSDHC slot capable of housing a card with up to 16 GB, which allows users to expand storage capacity significantly. This feature offers flexibility for storing multimedia files and apps, which was a crucial advantage for its time.

Camera

The Samsung Fascinate is equipped with a 5 MP autofocus rear camera including an LED flash. The camera's capabilities allow for still photography and video recording at up to 720p at 30fps, offering respectable media capture abilities that catered to the casual photography needs of consumers when it launched. The emphasis on decent camera capabilities illustrates the balanced approach Samsung took to ensure an all-rounded device.

Sound and Audio

The device includes essential audio features such as a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, providing versatile sound output options. The inclusion of a 3.5 mm jack was an industry norm and instrumental for users who preferred personal audio via earphones or headphones.

Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the Samsung Fascinate supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, and hotspot capability with Android 2.2. It also supports Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP for wireless media transmission and accessory connectivity. GPS functionalities are provided with A-GPS and VZ Navigator service. An FM radio with RDS further enhances the connectivity suite, offering a spectrum of media and information access.

Sensors and Features

The phone features an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, providing the necessary tools for enhanced device interaction such as screen rotation and proximity-based functionality control. The presence of an HTML browser with Adobe Flash Lite support enriches the web browsing experience despite the limitations of Flash Player, a common standard at that time.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery, the Samsung Fascinate offers a stand-by time of up to 300 hours and a talk time of approximately 5 hours and 50 minutes. The battery life was sufficient for a day's usual usage and was indicative of typical battery performance for smartphones from its era.

Miscellaneous

The Samsung Fascinate was sold at about 120 EUR, positioning it within an affordable range for many users. SAR ratings are 0.57 W/kg (head) and 0.52 W/kg (body), which are within safety standards, ensuring responsible radiation levels upon exposure.