Samsung Galaxy 551 Specs Prices Pros & Cons Unveiled

Introduction to Samsung Galaxy 551

The Samsung Galaxy 551, initially announced in October 2010 and released in Q4 of the same year, is a smartphone that marked an era when sliding QWERTY keyboards were popular. Although it has since been discontinued, this device holds a nostalgic value for many users who appreciated its unique combination of tactile keyboard input and touchscreen functionality.

Design and Build

The Samsung Galaxy 551 features a compact form factor with dimensions measuring 111 x 55 x 15.2 mm, making it easy to handle and fit in the palm of your hand. Weighing in at 117 grams, the device strikes a balance between sturdiness and portability. Its design includes a sliding mechanism that reveals a full QWERTY keyboard, which is a distinguishing feature in comparison to other touchscreen-only devices of its time. This keyboard is particularly useful for users who prefer physical keys for typing over on-screen keyboards.

Display

The device sports a 3.2-inch TFT display with a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 146 ppi. While not high-definition by today's standards, the display offered decent clarity and color reproduction for its time, making it suitable for browsing, texting, and casual media consumption.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy 551 is powered by a Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 chipset with a 600 MHz CPU and an Adreno 200 GPU. This hardware configuration, though modest, was typical for mid-range devices in 2010. It was sufficient for basic tasks such as web browsing, emails, and running applications compatible with its Android 2.2 (Froyo) operating system, which is upgradeable to Android 2.3.6 (Gingerbread).

Storage and Memory

The Galaxy 551 comes with 160MB of internal storage, which is quite limited, but it does feature a microSDHC card slot for expandable storage. This slot supports additional storage, starting with a 1 GB card included, but expandable up to 32 GB, allowing users to store more applications, photos, and media.

Camera Capabilities

The device is equipped with a 3.15 MP rear camera featuring autofocus. While it does not compete with modern smartphone cameras, it was adequate for casual photography and allowed users to capture important moments. The camera also supports video recording at 320p resolution at 15fps. However, it lacks a front-facing camera, so it’s not suitable for selfies or video calls.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery, the Samsung Galaxy 551 offers a decent battery life given its hardware specifications. It provides up to 9 hours of talk time on a 2G network and up to 5 hours on 3G. In standby mode, the battery can last up to 520 hours on 2G and up to 370 hours on 3G, which was considerably good during its release period.

Network and Connectivity

The device supports GSM/HSPA networks, with 2G bands covering GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and 3G bands covering HSDPA 900/2100. Its HSPA capability allows download speeds up to 7.2 Mbps, facilitating relatively fast internet browsing for the time. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, GPS with A-GPS for navigation, an FM radio with RDS, and a microUSB 2.0 port for data transfer and charging.

Additional Features

The Galaxy 551 includes several sensors such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, which enhance the user experience in gaming and navigation applications. It also supports a 3.5mm audio jack for standard headphones and has a loudspeaker for audio playback.

Operating System and User Interface

Originally coming with Android 2.2, known as Froyo, users had the option to upgrade to Android 2.3.6, Gingerbread. This operating system provided several features and improvements over its predecessors, including better user interface elements, improved performance, and enhanced support for applications. The user interface combined both touch and keypad inputs, which offered a flexible experience.

Market Impact and Legacy

At its release, the Samsung Galaxy 551 was priced at about 90 EUR, making it relatively affordable for a smartphone with a sliding keyboard and Android capabilities. It appealed mostly to users looking for both touchscreen convenience and a physical keyboard, especially those doing a lot of typing or messaging. Although the model has been discontinued, it remains a memorable device for its distinctive features. As smartphones evolved rapidly, Samsung moved beyond devices with physical keyboards, but the 551 remains a part of the company's diverse product legacy.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy 551, with its blend of a physical QWERTY keyboard and a modest touchscreen, provides a unique throwback to a time before full touchscreen dominance. While its specifications appear limited by modern standards, it served as a reliable companion for those who valued tactile typing alongside the benefits of an emerging smartphone ecosystem. Its reasonable pricing and array of features made it accessible to a broad audience, cementing its place in the history of mobile devices.