Samsung i320 Specs Prices Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview of Samsung i320

The Samsung i320 was a pioneering smartphone released in February 2006, one of the early adopters of Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone operating system. During its time, it marked a significant shift towards the integration of mobile phones with advanced computing capabilities, all compactly designed for the business professional market.

Design and Build

The i320 features a sleek and compact design with dimensions measuring 111 x 59 x 11.5 mm, and a weight of just 95 grams, making it highly portable. The phone has a professional look with a black finish, complemented by a full QWERTY keyboard which was a distinctive and attractive feature for business users and those who needed to frequently handle email and document editing on the go. The phone uses a Mini-SIM card standard for connectivity.

Display

The Samsung i320 sports a 2.2-inch TFT screen with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. While the display size might seem modest by today’s standards, at its time, it was adequate for a device expected to handle more text-based tasks rather than multimedia. The screen supports 65K colors and operates with a 4:3 aspect ratio, providing a decent viewing experience for mobile documents and web browsing.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the i320 is powered by an Intel PXA 272 processor running at 416 MHz. It provides reasonable performance for a smartphone from its time, suitable for managing basic applications and multitasking. The phone comes with 128MB of internal storage, which was expandable using a microSD card slot, vital for users needing additional space for applications and files.

Camera

The device features a single 1.3 MP rear camera equipped with an LED flash and basic video recording capabilities. While the camera specs are modest, it sufficed for capturing quick shots and sharing them through MMS or email.

Battery Life

The i320 is supported by a removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery. It offered up to 140 hours of standby time and approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes of talk time, aligning with the needs of business professionals who required reliable all-day performance without needing frequent recharging.

Connectivity

For connectivity, the i320 supported basic GSM communication technologies. It was equipped with Bluetooth version 1.2 with A2DP support, an infrared port for data transfer, and a USB 1.1 connector. Unfortunately, it lacked Wi-Fi and positioning features, which were features that began gaining popularity around that time. The device did not include a traditional 3.5mm audio jack, although it did support stereo speakers providing decent sound quality for media playback.

Operating System and Software

Samsung i320 operated on Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone OS. This operating system aimed at optimizing the use of productivity features such as a mobile office suite, email access, and scheduling tools. It came with a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser that allowed internet access, although limited compared to contemporary web standards.

Market Impact and Legacy

During its time, the Samsung i320 distinguished itself with its integration of business-like functionalities into a mobile device. While discontinued shortly after, it set expectations for what business-oriented smartphones should offer, particularly the inclusion of a physical QWERTY keyboard and straightforward email functionality which carried onto future designs.

Conclusion

The Samsung i320, though simpler and less advanced compared to today’s smartphones, was a significant step in mobile technology evolution. By focusing on professional users’ needs, it exemplified the transition from conventional mobile phones to versatile smart devices that support businesses' growing demands for mobility.