Samsung L870 The Ultimate Guide to Specs Price Pros & Cons

Network and Connectivity

The Samsung L870 is equipped with GSM and HSPA technology, supporting 2G bands which include GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900. Additionally, it offers 3G connection via the HSDPA 2100 band. The device allows for internet speeds of up to HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps, which was considered standard during its release period. Despite the absence of WLAN support, the phone provides connectivity options through Bluetooth 2.0, including A2DP support and USB 2.0, which cater to most basic data transfer needs between devices.

Launch and Availability

Initially announced in April 2008, the Samsung L870 was released in December of the same year. The phone has since been discontinued, marking its presence as a mid-range device during its time in the market. Its status now as a discontinued model puts it in the category of vintage mobile devices that hold nostalgia for early smartphone technology enthusiasts.

Design and Build

The Samsung L870 features dimensions of 103.5 x 50.5 x 13.5 mm and weighs about 120 grams, striking a balance between portability and a solid feel. The design is compact with a mini-SIM slot, catering to a simple yet elegant build suitable for everyday use. The phone's body design reflects the typical aesthetic choices of 2008, with a focus on functionality and basic ergonomics.

Display

Sporting a 2.4-inch TFT display, the Samsung L870 offers a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels with a pixel density of approximately 167 ppi. This display size provides a compact viewing area, typical of phones released in the late 2000s. Although the screen-to-body ratio is around 34.1%, the display is capable of showing up to 16 million colors, providing vividness sufficient for basic multimedia consumption.

Operating System and Performance

The Samsung L870 operates on the Symbian 9.3, Series 60 rel. 3.2 platform. It is powered by a 32-bit STMicroelectronics Nomadik STn8815P14 processor, designed to handle the fundamental operations required by the Symbian OS. This setup was typical for smartphones during its time, offering efficiency for tasks like calling, messaging, and running basic applications.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the Samsung L870 comes with 100MB of storage, a modest amount by today's standards but typical for the time of its release. The device supports expandable storage via a dedicated microSDHC card slot, allowing users to store additional multimedia content such as photos, music, and videos.

Camera

The Samsung L870 is equipped with a single 3.15 MP rear camera with autofocus, capable of capturing basic photographic moments with clarity sufficient for casual viewing. It also features video capabilities, although the quality is expected to be rudimentary given the period of the device's release. Although a selfie camera is listed, specifics are not provided, suggesting a minimalistic approach to front-facing photography capabilities.

Audio and Multimedia

With support for downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones, the Samsung L870 offers a degree of customization in alert tones. It features a loudspeaker, but notably lacks a 3.5mm audio jack, which may limit the direct use of certain headphone types, a curious omission for a phone of its era. A stereo FM radio with RDS enhances its media consumption capabilities, offering a traditional radio listening experience.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery, offering up to 222 hours in standby mode and up to 3 hours and 50 minutes of talk time. These specifications render the phone suitable for basic use throughout the day, consistent with expected performance metrics for mobile phones at the time.

Browser and Applications

The Samsung L870’s browser capabilities include WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, and an RSS reader, with an emphasis on streamlined internet browsing via the Safari browser included. This allows for a basic web experience, catering to simple browsing and RSS feed following, sufficient for users during the release period.

Miscellaneous Features

The phone comes in a black variant, aligning with the color preferences typical of business-oriented devices. Additionally, the specific SAR values are provided, with 0.41 W/kg for the head and 1.04 W/kg for the body, ensuring that users are aware of safety standards compliance. The initial market price was around 130 EUR, situating it as a mid-range offering within its market context.

Conclusion

The Samsung L870 is a device that clearly represents its era. Its reliance on Symbian OS, absence of modern connectivity features like Wi-Fi, and fundamental multimedia capabilities mark it as a smartphone targeted for an audience seeking simplicity and basic functionality. While it may not compete with modern devices in terms of raw specifications, it holds historical significance as part of the development timeline of mobile technology.