Samsung Galaxy Core Plus Full Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of Samsung Galaxy Core Plus

The Samsung Galaxy Core Plus is a smartphone that was released in October 2013. It was introduced as an entry-level device aimed at consumers looking for affordable yet functional smartphones. The device succeeded the Samsung Galaxy Core and presented modest upgrades that made it a viable option in the budget smartphone sector during its time.

Design and Build

The Galaxy Core Plus features dimensions of 129.7 x 66 x 9.5 mm and weighs approximately 132.5 grams. It has a plastic build which was typical for budget smartphones of its era. The phone was available in three color options: white, black, and pink. With a compact size and lightweight build, it offered a comfortable grip and one-handed usability.

Display

The device sports a 4.3-inch TFT display with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 217 pixels per inch (ppi). While not cutting-edge in terms of screen technology, the display provided adequate brightness and color reproduction for everyday usage, considering its market segment.

Performance

Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy Core Plus is powered by a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor. It runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, which was a standard operating system for devices during that period. Although the 4GB of internal storage and 1GB of RAM may seem limited by today's standards, they were sufficient for running basic applications and performing standard tasks like browsing and social media.

Camera

The phone is equipped with a 5 MP rear camera with autofocus and an LED flash. It is capable of recording 720p video at 30 frames per second. The camera quality is what can be expected from a budget device, capable of producing decent photos in good lighting conditions. The front-facing VGA camera offered basic video calling and selfie capabilities.

Battery Life

One of the notable features is its removable Li-Ion 1800 mAh battery. It offers up to 9 hours of talk time and up to 320 hours on standby. For music playback, it could manage up to 40 hours, making it a fairly strong performer in terms of battery longevity among entry-level smartphones of its time.

Connectivity

The Galaxy Core Plus includes a range of connectivity options, including support for GSM and HSPA networks. It provides Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, and hotspot capabilities. Other features include GPS, GLONASS, NFC, FM radio, Bluetooth 3.0, and a microUSB 2.0 port for data transfer and charging.

User Experience and Software

Running on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, Samsung's TouchWiz skin is evident throughout the interface, offering the user-friendly experience that many users appreciated. Features like dual-SIM support in some models offered flexibility for users managing multiple networks.

Market Position and Pricing

Priced at about 150 EUR at launch, the Samsung Galaxy Core Plus was positioned competitively in the market. Its reasonable pricing coupled with Samsung’s brand reliability made it attractive for budget-conscious consumers seeking a balance between cost and performance.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Core Plus served as a decent option for individuals looking for a functional and affordable smartphone. While it lacked high-end specifications, its modest features, combined with Samsung's branding, provided enough appeal for its target audience. Over time, its limitations become more pronounced as smartphone technology continues to rapidly evolve, but it remains a notable mention for its era in the early 2010s.