Samsung I9070 Galaxy S Advance Specs Prices Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview of Samsung I9070 Galaxy S Advance

The Samsung I9070 Galaxy S Advance was a prominent addition to Samsung's Galaxy lineup back in 2012. It was announced in January that year and released in April. As a mid-range smartphone, it was designed to cater to consumers looking for a reliable and affordable Android experience. Despite its discontinuation, the device remains notable for its time because of its balanced specifications and affordability.

Design and Build

The Samsung Galaxy S Advance features an appealing design with dimensions of 123.2 x 63 x 9.7 mm and a weight of 120 grams, making it comfortable to hold and easy to manage with one hand. It comes with a Mini-SIM slot and is available in two color options: Black and White. The build quality is robust, and the curved design fits well in users’ palms.

Display

The device boasts a 4.0-inch Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, achieving a pixel density of approximately 233 ppi. The screen-to-body ratio is around 58.7%, offering vivid colors and deep contrasts that are the hallmark of Super AMOLED displays. Whether for media consumption or daily use, the display remains a strength of this device, providing infinite nominal contrast ratios.

Performance and Software

The Galaxy S Advance is powered by a NovaThor U8500 chipset featuring a dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU and a Mali-400 GPU, ensuring smooth performance for its time. Although not meant for heavy multitasking or gaming, the device handles everyday tasks with ease. It originally ran on Android 2.3.6 (Gingerbread) with TouchWiz UI 4, and it was upgradable to Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), providing users with an improved interface and additional features typical of Jelly Bean.

Memory and Storage

Samsung provided two storage options for this phone: 8GB and 16GB of internal storage, both equipped with 768MB of RAM. The device also supports expandable storage via a dedicated microSDHC slot, allowing users to increase their storage capacity, which is essential for storing apps, photos, and media files.

Camera Features

The Samsung Galaxy S Advance is equipped with a 5 MP rear camera, complete with autofocus and an LED flash. It is capable of recording videos at 720p @ 30fps, which was a commendable feature during its release. For selfies and video calls, the device has a modest 1.3 MP front-facing camera. While not cutting-edge by today’s standards, these cameras were sufficient for social media sharing and casual photography in 2012.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery, the Galaxy S Advance supports extensive talk time and standby time. It offers up to 15 hours of talk time on 2G networks and up to 7 hours and 20 minutes on 3G networks. The standby time reaches up to 570 hours on 2G and 550 hours on 3G, making it a reliable companion for users needing longevity without frequent recharges.

Connectivity and Communication

The device supports GSM and HSPA network technologies, with multiple 2G and 3G bands ensuring wide compatibility and coverage. It provides HSPA speeds of 14.4/5.76 Mbps. For wireless connectivity, it includes Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n with dual-band, DLNA, and the capability to act as a hotspot. Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP and aptX is available for audio streaming. GPS with A-GPS support is on board for navigation needs. Additionally, NFC was offered as an optional feature and USB 2.0 via microUSB for charging and data transfer.

Additional Features and Sensors

The Galaxy S Advance includes a range of sensors such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and compass, providing necessary functionalities like screen rotation and location-based services. Sound quality and audio performance are enriched with a 3.5mm audio jack and a built-in loudspeaker. For those who enjoy radio, the phone includes a Stereo FM radio with RDS.

Market Impact and Legacy

Priced at approximately 150 EUR at the time of its release, the Samsung Galaxy S Advance offered an excellent mix of features for users who sought a practical and stylish smartphone without breaking the bank. Its blend of design, performance, and Samsung's trusted brand made it a popular choice among mid-range smartphones. Even though it has been discontinued, the Galaxy S Advance showcased key Samsung innovations and industry trends that influenced later models.