Samsung i897 Captivate Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Uncovered

Introduction to Samsung i897 Captivate

The Samsung i897 Captivate was a flagship smartphone released by Samsung in July 2010. As part of the popular Galaxy S series, it was known for its design, display technology, and performance capabilities. Despite being discontinued now, the Captivate left a mark on smartphone enthusiasts and played a significant role in the evolution of Samsung's smartphone lineup.

Design and Build

The Samsung i897 Captivate features a sleek and compact design. It measures 122.4 x 64.2 x 9.9 mm and weighs just 118 grams, making it comfortably portable. It's constructed using high-quality materials that provide durability. The device is equipped with a Mini-SIM slot, typical for phones from that era. Its ergonomics and thickness of 9.9 mm made it a user-friendly device amidst the burgeoning trend of ever-larger smartphones.

Display

The Captivate sports a 4.0-inch Super AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. This type of display was pioneering at the time, providing a superior viewing experience compared to LCD screens. With a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 233 ppi, the screen delivers sharp and clear images. The use of Corning Gorilla Glass added an additional layer of protection against scratches and damage, enhancing the device's durability and longevity.

Performance and Hardware

At the core of the Samsung i897 Captivate is the Hummingbird chipset, powered by a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 CPU and a PowerVR SGX540 GPU. This combination was designed to handle everyday tasks and moderate gaming with ease. Its 512MB of RAM might seem minimal by today's standards, but it was sufficient for the Android 2.1 (Eclair) operating system it initially shipped with, which was upgradeable to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread).

Storage and Expandability

The device comes with 16GB of internal storage, providing ample space for apps, music, and videos. It also has a dedicated microSDHC slot for expandable storage, allowing users to add more space according to their needs, a feature that extended the device's usability and attractiveness.

Camera Capabilities

The main camera of the Samsung i897 Captivate is a single 5 MP sensor with autofocus capabilities. While it doesn't include a front-facing camera, the main camera can record 720p video at 30fps, capturing important moments in decent quality for its time. It lacks some advanced features like LED flash, which limited its low-light performance, but it was adequate for general use and casual photography.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery, the Captivate was designed for all-day use. It offered up to 13 hours and 30 minutes of talk time on 2G networks and up to 6 hours and 30 minutes on 3G. The stand-by time was quite impressive, with up to 750 hours on 2G and 576 hours on 3G. This battery performance ensured that users could utilize the phone throughout a busy day without frequent recharging.

Connectivity and Network

The phone supports GSM/HSPA technologies, providing connectivity over 2G and 3G networks. It includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with DLNA for wireless data transfers and internet access. Bluetooth 3.0 support allowed for easy pairing with wireless accessories, while GPS and A-GPS ensured accurate location tracking. The device includes a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer but lacks a built-in FM radio which some users might miss.

Sound and Multimedia

The Captivate features a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, accommodating various audio devices and ensuring that it met the multimedia needs of users. The device's audio performance was standard for its time, catering to music and video playback effectively.

Operating System and Software

Initially running on Android 2.1 Eclair, the Captivate was upgradeable to Android 2.3 Gingerbread. This offered users access to a wide range of applications via Google Play, as well as the features available in the Android ecosystem, such as multitasking, Google apps, and customization options. Moreover, the device came equipped with a few built-in applications to enhance the user experience.

Features and Sensors

The device includes accelerometer, proximity, and compass sensors, enhancing its functionality and ease of use. The inclusion of these sensors enabled various applications to utilize motion and orientation data for a more interactive experience. The phone's browser supported HTML and Adobe Flash Lite, giving users the ability to surf the web more comprehensively, even allowing the playback of Flash-based content.

Market Impact

During its release, the Samsung i897 Captivate was priced at about 170 EUR, positioning it competitively against other high-end smartphones. Its blend of performance, display quality, and design made it a popular choice for both tech enthusiasts and general consumers. It contributed to Samsung's burgeoning reputation as a leading smartphone manufacturer, helping to pave the way for future innovations in the Galaxy S series.

Conclusion

Although discontinued, the Samsung i897 Captivate remains a testament to advancements in smartphone technology in the early 2010s. It provided a balanced mix of performance, design, and features that appealed to a wide audience. As technology has further evolved, the Captivate is now a nostalgic device that many look back on as a pioneer of its time.