Samsung Galaxy Gio S5660 Specs Prices and Performance Unveiled

Design and Build

The Samsung Galaxy Gio S5660, announced in January 2011 and released in March of the same year, stands as a remarkable product of its time. With dimensions of 110.5 x 57.5 x 12.2 mm and weighing 102 grams, it fits comfortably in the hand or pocket, offering a sleek and compact design that was very much appreciated in the early 2010s. The handset features a Mini-SIM slot and a practical design, coming in classic shades of Black and Silver White.

Display

The device is equipped with a 3.2-inch TFT display, offering a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels. While these specifications might seem modest by today's standards, they provided an adequate viewing experience for the period, with a pixel density of approximately 180 ppi. This display size and resolution allowed for a decent screen-to-body ratio of about 48%, enabling users to navigate and interact with the device comfortably.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Galaxy Gio S5660 is powered by a Qualcomm QCT MSM7227-1 Turbo Snapdragon S1 chipset with an 800 MHz CPU and an Adreno 200 GPU. The device runs on Android 2.2 Froyo, which is upgradable to Android 2.3 Gingerbread, providing users with a chance to experience improved features and performance over time. It comes with 278MB RAM and an internal storage of 158MB, which could be expanded using a microSDHC card, with a 2 GB card included, making it capable of handling basic smartphone tasks and storage needs of the time.

Camera

The Galaxy Gio S5660 features a 3.15 MP rear camera with autofocus capability. Although it lacks the front camera, a characteristic common in early smartphones, the main camera provides basic photography functionalities. It also facilitates video recording at 320p@15fps, adequate for capturing and sharing moments, albeit not in high definition.

Connectivity and Network

The smartphone supports GSM and HSPA technologies, with 2G bands covering GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and 3G bands covering HSDPA 900/2100. With HSPA capability allowing speeds of 7.2/0.384 Mbps, users experienced relatively fast data connectivity for the time. The device also supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot functionality, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, GPS with A-GPS capabilities, a Stereo FM radio with RDS, and microUSB 2.0, fulfilling the fundamental connectivity requirements.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 1350 mAh battery, the Galaxy Gio offers substantial standby and talk times. Users could expect up to 610 hours on standby in 2G mode and up to 460 hours in 3G. For talk time, the battery supports up to 10 hours and 40 minutes on 2G and 6 hours and 40 minutes on 3G, making it a reliable companion for day-long use without frequent charging interruptions.

Audio and Sound

The audio setup includes a standard 3.5mm jack and a loudspeaker. Audio performance can reach up to 70dB for voice, 65dB under noise, and 70dB for ring tones, while sound quality extends to a noise level of -83.7dB and crosstalk at -82.2dB. These specs were competitive during the phone's prime, ensuring clear communication and entertainment.

Additional Features

The device incorporates essential sensors such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. The proprietary TouchWiz UI 3 overlay enhances the user experience on Android, offering navigational ease and customization. It also features an HTML browser, providing users with a simple internet browsing solution.

Market Position and Legacy

Priced at approximately 110 EUR at launch, the Samsung Galaxy Gio was positioned as an affordable and approachable smartphone for users seeking to upgrade from feature phones. It played a significant role in introducing many users to Android’s ecosystem. Although discontinued, the Samsung Galaxy Gio S5660 is remembered for its balance of design, functionality, and affordability, marking it as a noteworthy entry in Samsung's Galaxy lineup.