Price and specifications of Samsung M3200 Beat s advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview of Samsung M3200 Beat

The Samsung M3200 Beat, released in October 2008, is a feature phone that was aimed at music enthusiasts. With its combination of music-centric features and basic phone functionalities, the device was designed to offer users a straightforward mobile experience, especially for those who were passionate about music. Despite its limited modern capabilities, it holds an important place in the evolution of mobile technology.

Design and Build

The Samsung M3200 Beat features a compact and durable design with dimensions of 96.5 x 46.9 x 16.9 mm and a weight of 101 grams. The phone is built from solid materials, giving it a sturdy feel in hand while being easy to carry around. It supports a mini-SIM and is designed with a focus on usability, making it a handy device for everyday tasks.

Display

Equipped with a 2.0-inch TFT display, the Samsung M3200 offers a screen resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 200 ppi, which is sufficient for basic tasks such as calling, texting, and navigating menus. The screen supports up to 256K colors, providing decent clarity and color reproduction for viewing photos and videos.

Camera

The M3200 Beat comes with a single 2 MP main camera, capable of capturing basic photos. It can also record video at QCIF resolution at 15 frames per second. While it does not have a selfie camera, the rear camera serves its purpose for spontaneous snapshots and video recordings, especially when a dedicated camera is not available.

Audio and Music Features

As a music-centric device, the Samsung M3200 Beat is equipped with stereo speakers and a 3.5mm audio jack. It offers a satisfying audio experience with clear sound quality. The phone also includes a stereo FM radio with RDS and recording capabilities, enabling users to enjoy their favorite radio stations on the go. The device's music player supports multiple formats and provides up to 21 hours of music playback time.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 800 mAh battery, the M3200 Beat can run up to 7 hours on talk time and has a standby time of up to 400 hours. For music playback, it impressively lasts up to 21 hours, making it ideal for long listening sessions without needing frequent recharges.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the device offers 72MB of storage space, which can be expanded via a dedicated microSDHC card slot. This provides users with increased flexibility to store more music files, photos, and other data. The phonebook can accommodate up to 500 entries, and it retains records of 30 dialed, received, and missed calls each.

Network and Connectivity

The Samsung M3200 Beat operates on 2G networks with GSM 850/900/1800/1900 bands. It supports GPRS and EDGE Class 10, offering basic internet connectivity options. Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP is available for wireless device pairing, though it does not include WLAN capabilities. The device also includes USB 2.0 connectivity for data transfer.

Software Features

This feature phone runs on Samsung's proprietary operating system tailored for basic operations. It supports messaging services like SMS, MMS, and email. The WAP 2.0/xHTML browser provides limited web browsing capabilities. The phone includes Java support (MIDP 2.0), allowing for running compatible applications and games, with several pre-installed and downloadable options available.

Additional Features and Sensors

An accelerometer sensor is included, which enhances the user experience with motion-based controls. Despite lacking advanced smartphone features, the device offers a simple yet effective set of tools for typical mobile tasks during its era.

Market Position and Price

At its release, the Samsung M3200 Beat was priced at approximately 140 EUR. It targeted budget-conscious consumers who prioritized music playback and basic phone functionalities. The device's affordability and music features made it popular among young users and music enthusiasts.

Conclusion

The Samsung M3200 Beat represents a phase in mobile technology where dedicated music features became a significant selling point. While its feature set is basic compared to modern smartphones, it encapsulates an era of mobile phones focused on serving specific user needs efficiently. For those with an affinity for retro tech or needing a simple and durable secondary phone, the Samsung M3200 Beat remains a notable choice.