Unveiling Samsung I5500 Galaxy 5 Specs Prices and More

Overview of Samsung I5500 Galaxy 5

The Samsung I5500 Galaxy 5, also known as Samsung Galaxy Europa, was among the early generation smartphones launched by Samsung in 2010. It marked Samsung’s foray into the budget-friendly Android smartphone segment, offering essential smartphone functionalities at an affordable price point. With its modest specs, it targeted users who were transitioning from feature phones to smartphones without breaking the bank.

Design and Build

The Samsung I5500 Galaxy 5 features a compact and ergonomic design, fitting comfortably in the hand. It measures 108 x 56 x 12.3 mm and weighs about 102 grams, making it lightweight and easy to carry. Despite its budget-friendly nature, the phone sports a sleek black finish with a curvy body design. It supports a Mini-SIM and has a removable back cover, which grants access to the battery, SIM card slot, and microSDHC slot.

Display

The device is equipped with a 2.8-inch TFT display. While the screen size may seem small by today's standards, it was fairly standard for entry-level smartphones in its time. The display has a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, offering a pixel density of approximately 143 ppi. The screen is relatively vibrant, rendering decent color reproduction for basic tasks and everyday use.

Performance

Powering the Samsung I5500 Galaxy 5 is a 600 MHz processor, which was adequate for managing basic smartphone operations when it was launched. The device runs on Android 2.1 Eclair, which can be upgraded to Android 2.2 Froyo. Despite its modest processing power, the phone was satisfactory for activities such as calling, messaging, and light app usage. The performance may seem limited by today’s standards, but it was reasonable for its time in the entry-level category.

Memory and Storage

The phone comes with an internal storage of 170 MB, which can be quite limiting for users installing apps and saving media. However, it includes a microSDHC card slot that supports expandable storage, and Samsung originally provided a 1 GB card with the device. This expansion capability was crucial for alleviating storage constraints, allowing users to store more files and media.

Camera

Samsung I5500 is equipped with a single 2 MP main camera, which can capture basic photos and videos. The camera offers video recording capabilities at 320p@15fps, suitable for capturing simple, everyday moments. While it lacks advanced features found in today’s smartphones, the camera served its purpose for users not needing high-end photography.

Connectivity

The device comes with basic connectivity options including GSM and HSPA network technology, which supports 2G and 3G bands. It is capable of achieving HSPA speeds of up to 7.2/0.384 Mbps. For local connectivity, the phone offers Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, and a microUSB 2.0 port. It also features GPS and A-GPS for positioning services, enabling navigation and location-based applications. Additionally, the device includes a Stereo FM radio with RDS, providing entertainment options for users.

Sound and Multimedia

The Samsung I5500 Galaxy 5 is equipped with a loudspeaker and features a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is beneficial for users who prefer using wired headsets. The audio output is decent, offering satisfactory quality for calls and multimedia consumption. Although the loudspeaker is not particularly powerful, it serves its basic purpose well.

Battery Life

One of the significant features of the I5500 Galaxy 5 is its removable 1200 mAh Li-Ion battery. This provided a standard battery life with a stand-by time of up to 521 hours on 2G and 375 hours on 3G. Talk time on the device is estimated at up to 9 hours and 30 minutes on 2G and up to 6 hours and 30 minutes on 3G. These figures denote a reliable battery life, especially for users who primarily use the phone for calling and basic applications.

Sensors and Additional Features

The smartphone incorporates basic sensors like an accelerometer and proximity sensor, which are used for various functionalities including screen orientation and call management. The built-in HTML browser provides access to the internet, albeit with basic browsing capabilities compared to modern smartphones.

Price and Market Position

When it was released, the Samsung I5500 Galaxy 5 was priced at about 80 EUR, placing it firmly in the budget smartphone segment. It was positioned to attract first-time smartphone buyers and users transitioning from feature phones who were looking for an affordable entry into the smartphone ecosystem. Although it is now discontinued, its pricing and features made it a popular choice during its time.

Conclusion

The Samsung I5500 Galaxy 5 played a pivotal role in making smartphone technology accessible to a broader audience. Its approachable price point, combined with essential features, contributed to Samsung’s success in the mobile market. While it may not match today's smartphone capabilities, the Galaxy 5 is an example of early smartphone innovation aimed at making technology available to a wider consumer base.